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27th April 2009

The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister for Health and Ageing
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives    
Parliament House   
Canberra ACT 2600

Dear Ms Roxon

RE: Lack of nursing representation on the key Advisory Body on Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections

As President of the Australasian Hepatology Association (AHA), I was pleased to note the establishment of the key advisory body on blood-borne viruses and sexually-transmissible infections, to be chaired by Professor Michael Kidd. However, I am deeply concerned by the lack of nursing expertise represented on this pivotal committee.

The AHA is the representative body of Australian and New Zealand hepatology nurses, many of whom are advanced clinical specialists with expert knowledge of liver health and disease, viral hepatitis treatment and management strategies. Hepatology nurses provide expert case management to persons affected by blood borne viruses including but not limited to patient education, treatment and care, advocacy, psychosocial support, allied health referrals and medical review.  There is now a number of Hepatology Nurse Practitioners in Australia, functioning within their advanced role in three states and many more are progressing towards their endorsement, in recognition of the “gap” in health care services for people living with viral hepatitis.

The AHA membership consists of nurses working in all clinical settings including rural and remote clinics, metropolitan tertiary referral hospitals, custodial settings, drug and alcohol facilities, sexual health clinics and transplant units. Members of the AHA offer a unique perspective on the issues related to the care and treatment of people affected by viral hepatitis in Australia, and we are increasingly recognised and called upon for our valuable contribution to policy and strategic planning at local and state level.

As an organisation, we are disappointed that the contribution of the nursing perspective has been excluded in the membership of the Advisory Board, despite the current Health Minister’s endorsement of the pivotal role nursing plays in the multidisciplinary care of individuals. If an AHA representative was inadvertently not invited as a member of the Advisory Board, please contact myself to discuss further. If, however this omission is unfortunately not able to be rectified, could you please advise the AHA of the Advisory Board Member to whom we can offer the benefit of our full support?

I look forward to further discussion and input towards the issues relating to people living with blood borne diseases from a nursing perspective.

Yours sincerely

Ms. Deborah Darcy
Chairman AHA.                            cc Professor Michael Kidd