The new Hep Connect Program offers support to anyone in the community who is about to commence or is on hep C treatment with SMS text reminders and peer-based telephone calls. The peer-based calls provide an opportunity to speak with someone who’s been through the treatment and the SMS text messages remind clients to take their daily medication, to contact their hepatology nurse for scripts, testing and results, all the way to SVR.

The Hep Connect program works in close partnership with hepatology nurses throughout NSW LHDs. Hepatology nurses offer the Hep Connect SMS text reminders and peer-based telephone support calls to patients whom they believe can benefit from some added support. All peers connecting with clients, have lived experience with hep C treatment, are trained and work from our Sydney offices.

The program aims to provide clients with the right type of support at the right time to make the journey through treatment easier and to keep their patients on track with their medication and all test appointments.

Hepatology nurses have reported that the SMS text reminders and peer-based calls have reduced the number of clients lost to follow-up and clients have reported that the Hep Connect program has been instrumental in their treatment compliance and adherence, all the way to cure.