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New testing for Hepatitis B

The point of care (POC) finger prick testing, introduced by the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand (HFNZ) is the first of its kind for hepatitis B in NZ. It’s easy to use and less invasive than blood tests, and is highly accurate.  Hepatitis B is often called a silent disease as there are often no symptoms until liver damage occurs, so people may not know they have it. Māori, Pacific Island and east Asian people are considered high risk, as is anyone with a mother or close family member...

Welcome to our newest Community Nurse Emily Huang

Flexibility and autonomy are highlights of Hepatitis Foundation of NZ nurse Emily Huang’s role, along with helping patients live healthier lives. Emily works with the foundation’s other Auckland-based nurses to cover the city and wider area. She started in May 2022 and says she’s enjoying the role so far. “This job draws on my previous experience working in a GP practice. There’s a lot of virtual and phone interaction with patients in this job, which is related to my previous role...

World Hepatitis Day 2022

Today, World Hepatitis Day (WHD) launches with the campaign theme ‘I Can’t Wait’. On WHD, the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) joins together with its global network of 320 members in 100 countries to lead the campaign internationally to accelerate the fight against viral hepatitis.The ‘I Can’t Wait’ campaign theme builds on the previous Hepatitis Can’t Wait global campaign, and highlights the social injustice and inequity caused by the current lack of action on hepatitis elimin...

Dr Chris Moyes receives his ONZM, for services to health

Dr Chris Moyes has been Medical Director of the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand for many years in addition to his work as a paediatrician, and this year was awarded The New Zealand Order of Merit. He received the honour at the Wellington Investitures held on 10 May 2022.In the 1980s, he played a key role in researching hepatitis B (HBV), as children in parts of New Zealand had high infection rates. As a result, the Ministry of Health introduced an HBV immunisation programme for children.He w...

Helen Purcell has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit

At the end of May our community nurse Mrs Helen Purcell, of Kawerau, was presented with her MNZM for services to public health nursing. Having been awarded it in the New Years' honours. Helen Purcell helped set up an STD Clinic in Whakatane and was the infection control nurse for tuberculosis.She was the hepatitis community nurse with the Hepatitis Foundation. She helped the Foundation drive purpose-built caravans around the North Island to test people and provide follow-up care and support...

Introducing Lucy Rio

Whakapapa – Taranaki – Ngā Rauru, Aitutaki – Cook Islands.Born and raised in the heart of Tūhoe. Tāneatua, WaimanaLucy took on the newly created Māori Engagement Co-ordinator this year. The role was identified by the foundation as imperative to be able to engage and collaborate with Health Providers and Iwi Authorities to deliver the service provided by The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand.With a work plan established, Lucy was able to start with a blank canvas as to how to approach...

Appreciating our community Nurses

Today we’re joining the International Council of Nurses in celebrating nurses everywhere. Especially our wonderful community hepatitis nurses, Lynnaire, Helen, Siaw Ling, Becky, Jillian, Nicola and Diane, who work tirelessly to support New Zealanders with liver conditions, and they do a fabulous job ensuring people get the help and advice they need.Thanks we really appreciate everything you do.#IND2022 #VOICETO LEAD...

Working from home

To keep our staff safe as the Omicron numbers continue to increase, all our staff will be working from home from Friday 25th February until further notice.Our call centre will still be available should you need any help.Please call: 0800 33 20 10...

Office will remain open at red level

With all NZ now at the red level to combat Omicron, our admin staff will work from the office on a rotation system in teams. Our nurses are working online only, so will not be doing patient or GP visits. This will continue until levels are revised.We won't be holding fibroscans or holding patient clinics until further notice, but people can still visit our office provided they wear masks, scan in and follow social distancing requirements. We can provide masks for anyone who may not have one.&nbs...

Queen’s Honour recognition for long-time hepatitis community nurse

Community nurse Helen Purcell has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her dedication to supporting New Zealanders with hepatitis B. A long-serving staff member at the Hepatitis Foundation of NZ (HFNZ), Helen says she was touched to hear of the award. “I’m overwhelmed to receive such a high honour. I’m passionate about making a difference to people’s lives and helping people with hepatitis B manage their...

Queen’s Honours recognise doctor’s dedication to hepatitis B patients

Paediatrician and hepatitis B expert Dr Chris Moyes has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to healthcare over the past 42 years, which he describes as an incredible journey.This journey started when Chris came to NZ from England in 1979 and began work as the first permanent specialist paediatrician at Whakatane Hospital. He soon became interested in the Eastern Bay of Plenty’s high hepatitis B rates, forming a partnership with colleague Sandy Milne tha...

2021/22 holiday hours

Our office will be closed from 12pm on Friday, December 24. We will reopen at 8am on Monday, January 10, 2022. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and wonderful holiday break with whānau and friends....

NZ presence on hepatology board

Congratulations to Kelly Hayes, our operations manager, who has been appointed to the Australasian Hepatology Association board for 2022.Kelly is the sole New Zealand representative on the board. She and her fellow board members are committed to building on the association's achievements and implementing the 2021-2024 Strategic Plan to ensure Australasian hepatology nurses and allied health professionals have a strong voice....

Christmas prizes up for grabs!

If you live in the Rotorua/Bay of Plenty areas, are registered with us and overdue for your hepatitis B blood test, simply get yourself up to date by December 17 and you're in the draw. It really is that easy. Winners will be contacted on December 20. Contact us on 0800 33 20 10 or email hepteam@hfnz if you need more info.* Colours may differ from that shown in images...

Registration open for viral hepatitis conference

The Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference (May 29 - 31, 2022) is a platform for the dissemination and presentation of new research findings and better management across the Australasian viral hepatitis sector.The forum aims to support the health workforce, government and community to work toward eliminating hepatitis B and hepatitis C and supporting people living with these conditions in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia and Pacific regions....

Beating 'lockdown liver'

Lockdowns have a reputation for causing people to gain weight. Boredom, stress and frustration lead us to turn to comfort food and alcohol. But as lockdown restrictions begin to ease around New Zealand, many people are turning their attention to getting in shape for the coming summer. If you’re one of them and you want to get rid of ‘lockdown liver’, here are some tips that may help.Take a breakConsider having an alcohol-free period (a week, a month, it’s up to you) to let your liver rec...

Reputation for trust recognised in awards

We've received some fantastic patient reviews over the past several months. We've been announced as NZ's most trusted business in the not-for-profit industry based on these reviews, so thank you from all of us to everyone who has taken the time to provide feedback.We love knowing our work is having such a positive impact on our patients....

Pressure on labs can mean delays

Many laboratories are extremely busy due to COVID-19 as case numbers continue to grow in Auckland, Hamilton and other parts of the country. Consequently there may be delays for people with hepatitis B to get their blood test results.Please be patient and understanding with lab staff - they're all doing their best! Blood tests are vital for people with hepatitis B and your local laboratory will get your results to you as soon as possible....

Safety first for nurses, patients

Our nurses are looking forward to being able to visit patients again once levels allow. They've even got new PPE especially, so they can keep themselves and patients safer than ever.Under the Health and Safety Act 2015, businesses must protect staff while at work. For us that means ensuring nurse safety, as they have a higher risk of exposure to viruses while visiting patients and holding community fibroscan clinics than our office-based staff. They'll now be wearing these mo...

Focus on improving GP education around hepatitis B

The need for improved GP education and awareness around hepatitis B has been highlighted by a recently completed audit into hepatitis B testing and management within the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) coverage area.The audit identified gaps in GP testing and monitoring in some South Island regions. However, these gaps apply in all regions across the country, not just around the South Island. Many patients aren’t getting recommended hepatitis B serology tests, and people with an increase...

Life with COVID-19 and hep B

Life has been a struggle for Thomas* recently. In March the 41-year-old fencing contractor caught COVID-19, thanks to contact with someone from one of New Zealand’s main clusters. He first noticed symptoms about March 19, but put them down to an existing ear infection. Within two days he was bedridden. “I lost my sense of taste, my sense of smell.”  Trips to the toilet, Thomas says, tired him out...

Hepatitis display earns GP clinic morning tea

A big congratulations to the team at Dannemora Clinic in South Auckland, for putting together a winning hepatitis display and earning a morning tea on us. Thanks to all the GP clinics that took the time to participate in this competition.The competition will be back in 2022, so keep an eye on our Facebook page for your clinic's chance to win.To celebrate this year's World Hepatitis Day, we've also launched a series of education modules aimed at primary healthcare pr...

New way to reach Chinese communities at risk of hepatitis B

A new WeChat channel will help us better reach one of its target communities.New Zealand’s Chinese communities are among the highest risk groups for liver diseases such as hepatitis B. With that in mind, and with 98.7 percent of Chinese people in NZ using WeChat, our CEO Susan Hay says it makes perfect sense for the organisation to be embracing it.“New Zealand is one of the many countries supporting the World Health Organisation’s goal to eliminate global hepatitis by 2030. To work to...

Free World Hepatitis Day community lunch

The Hepatitis Foundation has been supporting Eastern Bay locals with liver conditions for nearly 40 years. This World Hepatitis Day is a good time to celebrate that. Join our team for a free warming cup of soup in Kawerau, where our work started in the 1980s. Everyone is welcome to come along and find out more about liver health over a hot lunch.July 28, 12.30-2pm, Kawerau Concert Chambers....

New clinician joins hepatitis team

Wayne Bai (MBChB, FRACP) is a consultant gastroenterologist at Waikato Hospital. He spent his early childhood years in Hong Kong but came to New Zealand in 1993. He completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Otago University, graduating in 2009.After establishing his career in Auckland, Wayne completed a year-long hepatology fellowship at a liver transplant centre in Edmonton, Canada, before settling in Hamilton and starting at Waikato Hospital as a gastroenterologis...