Kirky
12-17-2005, 08:49 PM
NSW Prisons Hep C Helpline
Background
Prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) in prisons is high. In evidence presented to the 1998 NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into hepatitis C it was noted that “prisoners with hepatitis C are doubly marginalised, doubly stigmatised” and that prisons are “the real hot spots for hepatitis C transmission”. In 1996 the NSW Inmates Health Survey reported that 39% of inmates were hepatitis C antibody positive. In more recent research inmates of 22 prisons in NSW were tested, ofwhom 47% were HCV positive.
Other research indicates the prevalence to be approximately 33% among male inmates, and approximately 66% among women prisoners. The prevalence of HCV among inmates who are injecting drug users is approximately 80%.
Recognising the need for information and health promotion messages on hepatitis C to be provided by a variety of means, the Hepatitis C Council of NSW, in partnership with the Department of Corrective Services and NSW Corrections Health Service, has developed the Prisons Hep C Helpline.
What is the Prisons Hep C Helpline?
The Prisons Hep C Helpline is an additional service provided by the already existing Hep C Helpline. The Prisons Hep C Helpline provides up-to-date, accurate hepatitis C information in an anonymous, non-judgemental environment. The Helpline intends to supplement information and support already provided by the Department of Corrective Services (DCS) and Corrections Health Service (CHS).
What resources are offered to callers?
The Prisons Hep C Helpline makes referrals to appropriate DCS or CHS services as well as to services available in the general community.
Each caller is offered a free HCV information pack, and information on many specific aspects of hepatitis C is sent out as requested.
We provide some resources in bulk, free of charge, for health care workers to distribute within their own area, and also offer a free video library service. Our website is also an excellent source of up-to-date information. For a full listing of available resources, please contact the Hep C Helpline.
Prisoners can become a member of the Hepatitis C Council free of charge. Concession rates are available for people who are on government pensions or who are experiencing financial hardship. Council members receive our quarterly magazine
The Hep C Review which always has some prisonspecific content, other information mail outs and most importantly contribution to the community response to hepatitis C in NSW.
What types of calls do we take?
The Helpline takes between 3,000 & 4,000 calls each year, ranging from a few minutes to more than an hour in length. Most calls are requests for information. Calls involving support with lifestyle issues, and the social and emotional aspects of living with a chronic disease, are the second most frequent type of call. Calls involving referral on to other services also form a large part of our service provision, and we have over 1,000 individuals and agencies on our database to refer people on to if required. The Prisons Hep C Helpline does not offer legal advice, welfare assistance, financial assistance, a visiting service or case management. We do provide referrals to appropriate agencies that can provide these services.
When can callers access the Helpline?
The Prisons Hep C Helpline opens the following hours:
Mon to Thurs: 9am – 5pm
Friday: 10am – 5pm
Outside of these hours a recorded information service is available.
What are the contact details?
Prisoners can access the Helpline using the Smart Card system. All calls to the Prisons Hep C Helpline are free and are not monitored by Department of Corrective Services staff. Non-inmates (such as prison staff, inmates’ partners and family) can call the Prisons Hep C Helpline on 1800803 990.
The Hepatitis C Council of NSW Inc is a community-based, non-government organisation, funded by the NSW Health Department.
Ph: 02 9332 1853 Fx: 02 9332 1730 Email: hccnsw@hepatitisc.org.au Web: www.hepatitisc.org.au (http://www.hepatitisc.org.au)
This factsheet was produced by the Hepatitis C Council of NSW and was last reviewed in April 2004.
Background
Prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) in prisons is high. In evidence presented to the 1998 NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into hepatitis C it was noted that “prisoners with hepatitis C are doubly marginalised, doubly stigmatised” and that prisons are “the real hot spots for hepatitis C transmission”. In 1996 the NSW Inmates Health Survey reported that 39% of inmates were hepatitis C antibody positive. In more recent research inmates of 22 prisons in NSW were tested, ofwhom 47% were HCV positive.
Other research indicates the prevalence to be approximately 33% among male inmates, and approximately 66% among women prisoners. The prevalence of HCV among inmates who are injecting drug users is approximately 80%.
Recognising the need for information and health promotion messages on hepatitis C to be provided by a variety of means, the Hepatitis C Council of NSW, in partnership with the Department of Corrective Services and NSW Corrections Health Service, has developed the Prisons Hep C Helpline.
What is the Prisons Hep C Helpline?
The Prisons Hep C Helpline is an additional service provided by the already existing Hep C Helpline. The Prisons Hep C Helpline provides up-to-date, accurate hepatitis C information in an anonymous, non-judgemental environment. The Helpline intends to supplement information and support already provided by the Department of Corrective Services (DCS) and Corrections Health Service (CHS).
What resources are offered to callers?
The Prisons Hep C Helpline makes referrals to appropriate DCS or CHS services as well as to services available in the general community.
Each caller is offered a free HCV information pack, and information on many specific aspects of hepatitis C is sent out as requested.
We provide some resources in bulk, free of charge, for health care workers to distribute within their own area, and also offer a free video library service. Our website is also an excellent source of up-to-date information. For a full listing of available resources, please contact the Hep C Helpline.
Prisoners can become a member of the Hepatitis C Council free of charge. Concession rates are available for people who are on government pensions or who are experiencing financial hardship. Council members receive our quarterly magazine
The Hep C Review which always has some prisonspecific content, other information mail outs and most importantly contribution to the community response to hepatitis C in NSW.
What types of calls do we take?
The Helpline takes between 3,000 & 4,000 calls each year, ranging from a few minutes to more than an hour in length. Most calls are requests for information. Calls involving support with lifestyle issues, and the social and emotional aspects of living with a chronic disease, are the second most frequent type of call. Calls involving referral on to other services also form a large part of our service provision, and we have over 1,000 individuals and agencies on our database to refer people on to if required. The Prisons Hep C Helpline does not offer legal advice, welfare assistance, financial assistance, a visiting service or case management. We do provide referrals to appropriate agencies that can provide these services.
When can callers access the Helpline?
The Prisons Hep C Helpline opens the following hours:
Mon to Thurs: 9am – 5pm
Friday: 10am – 5pm
Outside of these hours a recorded information service is available.
What are the contact details?
Prisoners can access the Helpline using the Smart Card system. All calls to the Prisons Hep C Helpline are free and are not monitored by Department of Corrective Services staff. Non-inmates (such as prison staff, inmates’ partners and family) can call the Prisons Hep C Helpline on 1800803 990.
The Hepatitis C Council of NSW Inc is a community-based, non-government organisation, funded by the NSW Health Department.
Ph: 02 9332 1853 Fx: 02 9332 1730 Email: hccnsw@hepatitisc.org.au Web: www.hepatitisc.org.au (http://www.hepatitisc.org.au)
This factsheet was produced by the Hepatitis C Council of NSW and was last reviewed in April 2004.