CHECCS: Coordinated Hepatitis responses to Enhance the Cascade of Care by optimising existing Surveillance systems

Project summary

CHECCS is a pilot program that utilises Victoria's existing surveillance system and public health data environment with the aim of improving the delivery of care to Victorians living with hepatitis C.

While highly effective treatments for hepatitis C exist and coverage is relatively high, gaps in access still remain and there are disparities across geographic regions and priority populations. This project provides direct support and information to clinicians who have diagnosed a new case of hepatitis C, in order to identify those with no follow-testing or treatment and to facilitate engagement in care.

Aims

1. Improve the coordinated delivery of care to Victorians living with chronic hepatitis C
2. Improve the data collection and analysis environment for hepatitis C notifications, follow-up testing and treatment.

Objectives

1. Establish innovative surveillance system-based approaches to join up the management of hepatitis C in Victoria
2. Identify people who have been diagnosed with hepatitis C but have no evidence of follow-up testing or treatment
3. Provide timely support for diagnosing clinicians, to enhance awareness of next steps and provide resources and guidance for management and treatment of hepatitis C and appropriate referral pathways.

Investigators

Ben Cowie

Nicole Allard

Jennifer MacLachlan

Nicole Romero

Support

CHECCS is being delivered by the Royal Melbourne Hospital (Doherty Institute) and the Victorian Department of Health as part of the Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia Partnership (EC Australia); a coordinated national program funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation and administered by the Burnet Institute.

Project timeframes

Project Start: 1 February 2021

Project End: 31 October 2022

Project contract

Nicole Matthews, Project Coordinator CHECCS