Having Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C may not only have implications for you, but also for your family, loved ones and other areas of your life too.
Finding support can help you and talking to someone can be very useful and important. If you're not ready to tell your family or friends yet, talking to a Healthcare professional can help (details below).
REMEMBER- there are plenty of options available to help you lead a healthy life.
| Help and support is available from: | Contact number |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis Specialist nurses:- Karen Patterson and Orla McCormick Annelies McCurley ( Hepatitis B&C Network Co-ordinator) |
07788883457 / 07712506350 07907979722/ 02896155725 |
| Sexual health/Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinic- for free confidential information. | |
| Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast | 02896 152111 |
|
028 7034 6028 0800 389 4424 (24/7) |
|
| Anderson House, Glenshane Road, Londonderry | 028 7161 1269 |
| New Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex | 028 7161 1269 |
| John Mitchell Place, Newry | 028 3756 2080 |
| Portadown Health and Care Centre | 028 3083 4200 |
| Downe Hospital, Downpatrick | 028 4483 8133 |
SH:24 Free Home STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) testing kit
Free STI test kit, results in 7 days – test for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV.
Confidential testing, information and advice with NHS clinics. Regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
Harm reduction resources
Northern Ireland Drug and Alcohol Directories of services
Each of the four Northern Ireland Drug and Alcohol Coordination Teams (DACTs) has produced a directory of services available in their area.
Drugs and Alcohol App
ASCERT and Queens University Belfast have produced a mobile phone App which is downladable for free on itunes and the android app store. This app provides resources on the theory, practice and legislation related to drugs and alcohol. It also provides information on drugs and services available in Northern Ireland that address drug and alcohol issues.
For iphones click here
For android click here
Helplines
| Talk to Frank (formely National Drugs Helpline) | 0300 123 6600 |
| Helpline contact numbers-For anyone with concerns about Hepatitis B | |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis B Foundation Positive Trust helpline (10:30 am -8pm, Mon -Fri) |
07958 558510 |
| British Liver Trust helpline (9am -5pm, Mon -Fri) |
0800 6527330 |
| Helpline contact numbers-For anyone with concerns about Hepatitis C | |
|
The Northern Ireland Regional Hepatitis B&C Clinical Network |
028 961 55569 / 028 961 55725/ 079 079 79722 |
|
Hep C Trust helpline number |
0845 223 4424 or 020 7089 6221 (available 10.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday). |
| RVH Liver Support Group | 07737718493 |
The Infected Blood Inquiry
Support is available to individuals infected with Hepatitis C and/or HIV by NHS supplied blood transfusions or blood products and their dependants.
The Infected Blood Inquiry has been hearing evidence since 2019, and expects to continue this into 2022. The Inquiry would like to ensure that everyone living with hepatitis C caused by infected blood or blood products has the opportunity to contribute to the Inquiry by sharing their experience.
There are a number of ways to do this, with more information on how to participate here. The Inquiry would be grateful if you could share this information with any of your patients who were infected in this way before September 1991, prior to effective screening. The Inquiry team recognises that participating in an Inquiry can be difficult and anyone who comes forward will be able to share their experience in confidence, and can do this anonymously if preferred.
The best way to contact the Inquiry is to email contact@infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk or phone 0808 169 1377.
Have you or a family member been infected as a result of receiving contaminated blood?
If you feel like you would like psychological support, then please contact the Clinical Psychological Service on 028 9615 5867
Useful websites for information and support
Harm Reduction Works – information about HIV; overdose prevention; Safer injecting practice; Hepatitis B and C viruses
The Hepatitis C Trust – Information about Hepatitis C, treatments and support
The Royal Liver Support Group – Independent group offering help and support to those in Northern Ireland, with liver diseases