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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 8 Hansard (24 October) . . Page.. 1937 ..

MRS CARNELL: The ACT has made some progress in implementing the action plan, particularly in surveillance, education, and prevention and testing for hepatitis C. However, there have been some difficulties in fully implementing the plan, as the Commonwealth Government has not provided financial support to State and Territory health departments for implementation. The department is examining how the ACT can meet its obligations with regard to the action plan. However, in the current financial climate, it is going to be very difficult. I believe that the Commonwealth Government should be providing greater financial assistance to the States and Territories to assist with full implementation of the plan. Since January 1995 the ACT has been participating in the 12-month pilot national hepatitis C surveillance scheme to determine the number of new infections in the ACT as well as to identify the risk factors. PCR testing for hepatitis C recently became available in the ACT through Woden Valley Hospital.

Mr Berry: How dare you blame the Commonwealth when you are participating in a pilot. That is outrageous. You have agreed to the pilot.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

Ms Follett: When am I getting my briefing that I have asked for urgently?

MR SPEAKER: It will not happen now because the Chief Minister is answering Mr Osborne's question.

MRS CARNELL: It is estimated that PCR testing will cost the ACT about $30,000 each year. Interferon became available as an S100 drug on 1 October 1994, but access to interferon treatment is not available because of insufficient resources to run a liver clinic. It is estimated - - -

Mr Berry: Because the ACT Government has made a decision not to do it until the pilot looks into it.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MRS CARNELL: Mr Berry, maybe you might notice that on 1 October 1994 we were not in government. You might note this. It is estimated that about 1,500 people in the ACT and surrounding regions may need to be assessed for treatment. Currently, about 100 people are on the waiting list for interferon.

In addition to the demands placed on specialist services, the management of patients on interferon will also increase demands on pathology, medical imaging, nursing and pharmaceutical services at Woden Valley Hospital. The cost of pathology alone for one interferon patient is estimated at $900 every year. The Department of Health and Community Care is working with the Commonwealth and other State and Territory governments on the development of national and local strategies on hepatitis C education and prevention. At present hepatitis C education and prevention is focused on high risk groups. The needle exchange program provides free needles and syringes to injecting drug users. Hepatitis C education services are largely provided by agencies who help

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