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Funded by the Scottish Government under the Phase II of the Scottish Hepatitis C Action Plan, The Resource Centre plays a central role in developing the contribution of the voluntary sector to the success of the Plan. |
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We are moving |
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After five years at 276 Bath Street, Glasgow, the Hepatitis C Resource Centre is moving to Edinburgh! Our new address is The Mansfield Traquair Centre |
Scottish Hep C Community |
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www.scottishhepccommunity.com The Scottish Hepatitis C Community, a new dedicated online information and support website, is now active and organically developing. Designed as a community focused online facility to encourage service user participation, communication and sharing of information; to provide the means of mutual support and to promote a sense of community amongst those living with HCV and those working in the field, the facility can make a unique contribution to building a sense of community at local and national levels… |
Hep C the basics |
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Hepatitis C is a virus that attacks the cells of the liver and can lead to serious liver disease. The virus is transmitted through blood to blood contact. It is estimated over 40,000 people in Scotland are infected with Hepatitis C. There are a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding Hepatitis C, here are some facts: Hepatitis C is manageable and curable. Transmission is only through blood to blood contact. Hepatitis C is a slow developing virus which may show no symptoms. If untreated is can lead to serious liver disease. By taking simple precautions by not sharing toiletries that nick or scratch such as razors and toothbrushes the transmission rate is low. Hepatitis C cannot be spread through kissing. Hepatitis C cannot be spread on drinking cups or cutlery. Transmission through sex is low though safe sex practices are advised. Never share needles, drug paraphernalia including water, filters and straws, and the drug itself. |
Materials |
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The Hepatitis C Resource Centre produces a variety of educational and awareness posters, leaflets and information. These can be ordered free through |
Personal viewpoints |
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Living with Hep C I was first diagnosed in the early nineties not long after Hep C was first recognised. As you can imagine it was a tremendous shock especially as very little was known about it at the time. I was very scared as no-one could tell me if I was going to live or die. A few years later I was put on treatment which was not very good at the time. I had to take three injections a week and it would last a year no matter what genotype you were. I was very ill while on this. I had other medical problems at the time... Supporting Hep C I was taking one of our service users to her first treatment appointment at the local clinic last week. Getting to the initial appointment and starting treatment is really important but often a bit stressful for the patient, who may feel a lot of uncertainty about what will happen and who may also be unsure about how to get there and other details. So we often buddy people along to the initial appointments, after which most people will have got the hang of it and have formed good relationships with their nurse. Anyway, en route we got talking and she told me that she knew lots of hep c positive people who refused to do anything about it. Jane, my client, said that she had tried to talk to her friends about the dangers of ignoring the virus... |
Peer involvement |
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Project In Scotland it is estimated over 40,000 people are infected with Hepatitis C. The Peer Involvement Project aims to raise awareness among voluntary organisations whose clients may be at risk. By being aware of how the virus can be transmitted and how to prevent the spread of Hepatitis C voluntary organisations can advise their clients about the risks of transmission and where to go for testing. Events In March the Hepatitis C Resource Centre held two Hepatitis C briefing events, in Hamilton and Inverness. The events were well attended and we would like to thank the BBV teams from Monklands Hospital Airdrie and Raigmore Hospital Inverness for their input and help. We would also like to thank all the speakers and volunteers who helped to make these events informative and successful and a big thank you to everyone who attended and showed an interest in raising awareness about Hepatitis C. |
