CSGPN is developing online registration for our events. The process will be via the CSGPN website and we anticipate that this service will streamline CPD registration for our GPs and practice staff who prefer the electronic medium to fax. Once the system is implemented and functioning we will let you know. In the meantime ‘Watch this space’.

Following on from the hepatitis ALM below is some important news for GPs and their patients with hepatitis.

Gastroenterology and Liver Services at RPAH and Concord Hospitals have Fibroscan Technology to Assist Assessment of Patients with Viral Hepatitis
The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) and Concord Repatriation General Hospital both now have considerable experience in Fibroscan (Transient Elastography). Fibroscan is a fast, non-invasive, painless procedure used to assess liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C or B. Given the high prevalence of hepatitis C and B in the Local Health Network region the hepatologists believe it will be beneficial to offer more people with viral hepatitis the opportunity to undergo this assessment.

During a Fibroscan procedure, a mechanical pulse generated by a probe at the skin surface is propagated through the liver. The velocity of the pulse wave is measured by ultrasound and gives an estimation of liver stiffness. Fibroscan may avoid the need for a liver biopsy. It is especially useful for detecting severe fibrosis or cirrhosis (a score greater than 12.5 kPa) and can identify patients likely to have no significant liver fibrosis (a score less than 7 kPa). Results can be adversely skewed by factors such as obesity, fatty infiltration of the liver or necroinflammatory activity (especially in HBV with very high ALT levels), so in addition to fibroscan, full assessment by a hepatologist is strongly recommended. 

A Fibroscan result can assist clinicians and patients make treatment decisions. There are now excellent treatments for hep B and C, yet the number of people seeking treatment still remains low. The number of patients referred both Concord and RPA Hospitals with advanced liver disease or liver cancer is increasing at a rapid rate. Effective antiviral treatment can prevent severe complications of viral hepatitis including liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In Australia, HCC is increasing at a faster rate than any other malignancy, and mostly occurs in patients with untreated chronic viral hepatitis. 

Please consider referring all your patients with viral hepatitis for assessment. All specialist services, including tests (like Fibroscan) and hepatitis C treatment are bulk billed with referrals made to any of the specialists at these facilities.

Written referral to a hepatologists is required. Either:

RPAH Clinic Bookings
Ph: 9515 7268
Geoff McCaughan, David Koorey, Simone Strasser, Nick Shackel, David Bowen, Gok Paven, Paul Haber

Concord Hospital Clinic Bookings
Ph: 9767 5570
Alice Lee, Meng Ngu, Gordon Park, Sarah Walker, Nemes Sandanayake