A new service is making it easier for primary care and community health professionals to monitor, treat and manage patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B.
Launched in January 2025 as a joint initiative between the Department of Health and Royal Perth Hospital (RPH), general practitioners (GPs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) can now access direct clinical support, education and the latest advice when managing patients living with hepatitis B.
This includes access to a free mobile liver-scan (Fibroscan®) via outreach clinics in metropolitan general practices/health services and a statewide hepatitis B email clinical advice service, the Hep B Hub WA.
Leading this new service is experienced hepatology nurse practitioner, Adam Gregson who works for the RPH Liver Service and runs outpatient clinics to diagnose and manage acute and chronic liver diseases, including viral hepatitis and complications of liver disease.
‘As part of the service, I work directly with local GPs and NPs to help them confidently manage their patients within their own practice setting including using our mobile Fibroscans® (to measure a patient’s liver fibrosis and fat levels) to help identify cirrhosis and the risk of decompensation and clinically significant portal hypertension.
‘This ensures the patient receives the most appropriate treatment in the most appropriate setting and is monitored to prevent deterioration,’ Adam said.
The statewide hepatitis B email clinical advice service is monitored Monday to Friday with a 2 business day response time, with advice provided by either email, phone/video call, or even an in-person visit.
‘Enquiries to this service can range from simple hepatitis B related questions to patient-specific or complex clinical scenarios.
‘I have direct access to, and collaborate with, our RPH hepatologists to ensure we can provide timely and evidence-based support for even the most challenging and complicated hepatitis B cases,’ Adam said.
The new service empowers GPs and NPs to confidently manage hepatitis B cases in their own practices, possibly without the need to refer to a tertiary specialist centre. The outreach clinics (including a Fibroscan®) provide a complete clinical picture to ensure patients get the most appropriate care with onward referral if needed.
To establish an outreach clinic at your metropolitan practice or health service, contact adam.gregson@health.wa.gov.au for further information.