Developing a nursing service for patients with hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C is a chronic viral infection, which can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer and death. This article describes a model implemented to improve the care of people with hepatitis C in Calderdale and Huddersfield. The aim was to design a model of care based on patient need and create a flexible hepatitis C testing service for current and former injecting drug users. The new service concentrated on three elements: developing the local hepatitis C support group; introducing an integrated care pathway and booklet for assessing patients on treatment for hepatitis C; and implementing a viral hepatitis clinical nurse specialist role in the local drug and alcohol action team.
Fahey
Siobhan
S
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust/Calderdale Drug and Alcohol Action Team, Calderdale Royal Hospital, Halifax, West Yorkshire. siobhan.fahey@cht.nhs.uk
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019091:Critical Pathways; D004739:England; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D009739:Nursing Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010174:Pamphlets; D016730:Program Development