HEPATITIS C SUPPORT AND TREATMENT SERVICE

Referrals from Service Providers Health Services REGIONAL WELLNESS RESPONSE PROGRAM’S Health care or social service providers can call to request a referral form to refer a patient or HEPATITIS C client to our service. Forms can be filled out and SUPPORT & TREATMENT SERVICE faxed back to our office. Physicians can also refer PO Box 1300, 54 Queen Street, Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B8 individuals through the electronic medical record. www.slfnha.com

Self-Referrals HCV TREATMENT NURSE (807) 737- 6192 We also accept self-referrals. This means that HCV CASE COORDINATOR (807) 737- 6190 people who are at risk of acquiring, living with TOLL FREE 1- 800 - 446 - 7863 or affected by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can call our confidential phone number, located on the FAX (807) 737-6195 back panel of this pamphlet.

Ontario Fort Severn

Communities

Served by SLFNHA Kitchenuhmaykoosib Bearskin Lake Inninuwug Wapekeka Sachigo Lake The following are the First Nation communities Wawakapewin Kasabonika Lake Muskrat Dam MAP LEGEND Sandy Lake in the Sioux Lookout region which can access our Koocheching King sher Lake Webequie Treaty 5 Wunnumin Sioux Lookout First HCV Support and Treatment Service. Additionally, Keewaywin Weagamow Nibinamik Nations Health Authority Deer Lake North Spirit Lake Serviced Communities residents of Sioux Lookout and the surrounding McDowell Lake Poplar Hill Neskantaga Regional Communities area can also access our service. Pikangikum Cat Lake Treaty Boundary Eabametoong Marten Falls Pickle Lake Aroland Koocheching Sandy Lake Mishkeegogamang Slate Falls Red Lake Bearskin Lake Lac Seul Saugeen Treaty 3 Treaty 9 Wabauskang Cat Lake Marten Falls Slate Falls Saugeen Deer Lake McDowell Lake Wabigoon Lake Lac Seul Savant Lake Aroland Eagle Lake Dryden Sioux Lookout Eabametoong Mishkeegogamang Wabauskang Kenora Wabigoon Lake Eagle Lake Muskrat Dam Wapekeka Ignace Robinson-Superior Treaty Communities Fort Severn Neskantaga Wawakapewin Fort Frances Served by SLFNHA Kasabonika Nibinamik Weagamow Regional resource for First Nations and Thunder Bay Keewaywin North Spirit Lake Webequie Non-First Nations people residing in Sioux Kingfisher Pikangikum Wunnumin Lookout and the surrounding area, including Kitchenuhmaykoosib Poplar Hill Inninuwug Sachigo Lake the 33 communities served by SLFNHA Hepatitis C Support & Treatment Service The Hepatitis C Support and Treatment Service isa regional resource based in Sioux Lookout that works Partnership Services Offered with people at risk of acquiring, living with or affected This service is a branch of the Sioux Lookout First case management & treatment by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Nations Health Authority’s Regional Wellness • Assess the needs and goals of people at risk The goal is to ensure this population is supported by Response Program (RWRP) and offered in partnership of acquiring, living with or affected by HCV an interdisciplinary team offering guidance, education, with primary health care providers. The RWRP was • Develop service plans to monitor initiated to respond to priority areas of substance case management coordination, and treatment. progress and remove barriers to care abuse and blood-borne infections. The collaborative team is made up of HCV Treating • Assist clients in accessing HCV testing Physicians, a Treatment Nurse and a Case Coordinator. The team not only provides HCV support and treatment • Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in Sioux Lookout but is a mobile team, travelling to Early Access to HCV Care • Monitor and support patients through all northern communities to deliver service. stages of HCV care and treatment Increasing access to holistic care and treatment for at risk populations by addressing the continuum • Facilitate referrals to health and social of health and social service needs can lead to services as needed Eligibility better health outcomes by reducing the number coordination & collaboration Those eligible to receive the service include First of people with active HCV and reducing the risk of • Work closely with health care providers Nations and Non-First Nations people residing in transmission. Sioux Lookout and the surrounding area, and the and regional HCV networks to reduce gaps 33 First Nation communities served by SLFNHA (see in service and optimize access to seamless back of pamphlet for a list of these communities). Hepatitis C Virus healthcare delivery • Assist in the development of strong • The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted through community based and regional responses Purpose exposure to infected blood to HCV • Individuals may have no symptoms for many years The purpose of this service is to increase: after initial infection education • Provide educational presentations • Awareness of testing options and access to HCV testing • HCV is a major leading cause of chronic liver • Access to HCV care and treatment disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer to community members and service providers on topics such as HCV risk • The number of people receiving and successfully • More than half of all HCV cases are factors, prevention, testing, care, completing treatment contracted through injection drug use treatment options and reducing stigma • Access to support services, including mental health • One-third of those with HCV are associated with HCV and addiction counselling undiagnosed, are unaware they are living • Informative resource for primary care and • Knowledge and awareness of HCV risk factors and with the virus, and may without knowing prevention pass the virus on to others service providers • Coordination, collaboration, and evidence based practice across the system responding to HCV • System effectiveness, transparency and responsiveness