Sexual Health and Viral Hepatitis

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN (CESPHN) aims to achieve the best possible care for people living with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is in accordance with the CESPHN Strategic Plan 2019-2021.

The Hepatitis Strategy is intended to be a living document, and responsive to newly commissioned services and initiatives by CESPHN and changes to State and Commonwealth policies and strategies.

Trans and Gender Diverse Services and Support 

Also visit the CESPHN LGBTIQ+ Health page

• TransHub– a digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse (TGD) people in NSW, their loved ones, allies and health providers. This platform is an initiative from ACON.
• T150– an innovative specialist HIV and Sexual Health Service providing holistic care for the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) community in a dedicated clinical space.
• Kaleido Health– a specialised LGBTQ+ health service providing person-centered, integrated and multi-disciplinary care for sexuality and gender diverse people in NSW.
• The Gender Centre – a peak state-wide multi-purpose service supporting transgender, gender diverse and gender questioning people at any stage of their transition (pre, mid and post transition) providing specialist services including: counselling and psychological services, housing, case management, support groups, rural outreach and much more.
• QLife– an anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
• Twenty10- aims to improve the lives of young LGBTQIA+ folks across NSW through a range of services. This includes providing housing and case management for young people aged 12-25 transitioning into independence, intake and referrals to get people the help the need, affirmative counselling, and both online and in person social support programs.

STIs

• Sexual Health Infolink- Sexual Health and BBVs services and programs across NSW
  •  1800 451 624
    HEALTH PROFESSIONALS 9am–7pm
    ‍PUBLIC LINE 9am–5.30pm

    -Evidence based information on HIV, STIs and sexual health

    -Specialist support for health professionals

    -Anonymous and nonjudgmental information for the NSW general public

• Playsafe NSW – an online resource for young people regarding everything you need to know to have a confident and healthy sex life.
• Partner Notification Services;
  • The Drama Downunder – anonymous partner notification service provided for people who have or recently had an STI so they can advise their sexual partner/s.
  • Let Them Know – anonymous partner notification service developed by Melbourne Sexual Health Centre to help people who have been diagnosed with Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma genitalium, Syphilis and Trichomonas to tell their sexual partners that they might also be at risk.

Syphilis

• Don’t fool around with syphilis – Australian Government campaign website
• Frequently Asked Questions – a printable general FAQ on syphilis for patients
• Multilingual Factsheets and Resources to Raise Syphilis and STI Awareness
  • Tool Kit here– multilingual fact sheets embedded

HIV

• Just diagnosed with HIV? – a printable resource to give to newly diagnosed patients.
• Benefits of HIV treatment – a printable resource to give to newly diagnosed patients.
• Positive Life NSW – a non-profit peer led community-based agency who works to promote a positive image of people living with and affected by HIV and to provide information and targeted referrals.
• HIV Information Hotline – a hotline or general and/or non-urgent HIV information for anyone in NSW. Call (02) 9332 9700 or 1800 451 600 during 9am – 4pm, Monday to Friday (except on public holidays).
• NSW Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) Hotline – an information hotline that assist patients find out where they can access PEP. Call 1800 737 669 (24-hour free call within NSW). Please note: this hotline is specifically for PEP and not a general hotline for HIV information.
• Positive Life NSW –
  • Peer Support –  programs initiated by and for people living with HIV, including group, peer to peer and online programs.
  • Ageing Support –  a peer led program that supports people over 45 years living with HIV across NSW to navigate aged care, disability and/or healthcare services.
  • Counselling Service- Positive Life NSW’s Counselling program, Positive Minds, offers one-on-one support for all people living with HIV. Positive Minds provides people living with HIV with free, strengths based, trauma-informed and solutions focused counselling, in a private and confidential space near Positive Life’s Surry Hills office.

Viral Hepatitis 

• Motivate-C- Adults who have a hep C infection (i.e., must have had a diagnosis of hep C with a positive blood test result), may be eligible to take part in the Motivate C project if they:
• • are over 18 years of age
  • have a Medicare card
  • haven’t received Hep C treatment in the previous 6 months

  If a person decides to participate, they will then be connected to a project navigator who will assist you throughout your involvement in the Motivate C project.

  They might be eligible for a cash incentive to start treatment.

• Hepatitis NSW – non-profit organisation that provides easy to read and valuable information about hepatitis, from testing to treatment.
  • Hepatitis Infoline – offers free and confidential information for Hepatitis B & C testing, support and referrals across NSW. Call 1800 803 990 from 9am – 5pm on Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri, and from 1pm – 5pm on Thurs.
  • Peer Partnership Program- a peer-led treatment program that brings Hep C information, testing and treatment to residential rehabilitation centres, meeting people where they are.
  • Hep Connect / Perx– The Hep Connect Perx app can help people living with hep C to stay on-track and motivated during their treatment journey. The app was developed out of behavioural science research and peer-reviewed studies, to assist people to manage their own health, to achieve better health outcomes.

MPOX

See the CEPHN Immunisation page, NON-NIP Resources.

• ACON – a NSW based health promotion organisation specialising in HIV prevention and HIV support for people of diverse sexualities and genders.
• The Albion Centre – healthcare facility specialising in HIV treatment, care and support for people living with HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs. Care is given by a multidisciplinary team that includes specialist doctors, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, dieticians, social workers, researchers and health promotion officers.
• Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) – peak organisations supporting the Australian, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific Region health workforce in viral hepatitis and HIV management.
• The Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine – the peak body for physicians specialised in sexual health.
• Bobby Goldsmith Foundation – non-profit organisation supporting people living with HIV to thrive.
• Family Planning NSW – non-profit organisation providing reproductive and sexual health information and clinical services across NSW.
• Gastroenterological Society of Australia-The Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) is the peak membership organisation for Australian healthcare professionals and researchers working in the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology. As a society GESA sets, promotes and continuously improves the standards of clinical practice in gastroenterology and hepatology throughout Australia. 
• The Gender Centre – a peak state-wide multi-purpose service supporting transgender, gender diverse and gender questioning people at any stage of their transition (pre, mid and post transition) providing specialist services including: counselling and psychological services, housing, case management, support groups, rural outreach and much more.
• Hepatitis NSW – non-profit organisation supporting the community and health professionals in relation to hepatitis.
• HIV/AIDS Legal Centre Inc. – non-profit, specialist community legal centre, the only one of its kind in Australia.
• Kirby Institute UNSW – global research institute dedicated to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
• Kirketon Road Centre – a walk in, targeted, primary health care service in Kings Cross, Sydney.
• Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS) – NSW Health organisation working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in NSW to improve the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
• NSW Health – Sexual Health Plus – webpage to all state strategies, reports, policies and guidelines.
• NSW Users and Aids Association (NUAA) – offers education, practical support, information and advocacy to users of illicit drugs, their friends and allies.
• Positive Life NSW – a non-profit peer led community-based agency who works to promote a positive image of people living with and affected by HIV and to provide information and targeted referrals.
• Pozhet – provides support, information and advice to heterosexuals at risk of HIV, heterosexuals living with HIV and health professions in NSW.
• Sex Workers Outreach Program (SWOP) – SWOP offers free and confidential services to all people who engage in sex work in NSW.

The Population Health Sexual Health and Viral Hepatitis Program aims to support general practice to increase patient participation in STI, HIV and viral hepatitis screening & monitoring. CESPHN can tailor sexual health and/or Viral Hepatitis QI activities based on areas of interest, demographics and practice data. Please get in touch to arrange a visit. See details below.

Current other QI projects accepting enrolment;

–ASHM Syphilis Mini Audit

–ASHM Beyond the C

Please contact the Sexual Health & Viral Hepatitis Program Officer via sexualhealth@cesphn.com.au for more information.

• Clinical Nurse Consultant for Viral Hepatitis at Prince of Wales Hospital.

• Cohesive Outside Hepcare Prison Project – Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network

Please contact the Sexual Health & Viral Hepatitis Program Officer via sexualhealth@cesphn.com.au for more information.