Yesterday was the LUNCH WITH THE LIVER NURSE at Queensland Injectors Health Network, QuIHN.  As promised, Alanna and Julie prepared a fantastic lunch, with salads and juices, barbecued fish, chicken and sausages, and loads of fresh fruit. 

There was an excellent crowd there, and a highlight had to be when Megan did an interview with Earl on Bumma Bippera, Cairns Indigenous Radio, for Hepatitis Awareness Week.  She wanted to come to the lunch as well so instead of going in to the studio she went out to her car and phoned in on her mobile.  We sat around the radio and listened as she talked about the lunch plus other events going on around town all week.

She came back inside and said how nervous she had been but you wouldn’t have known it to listen to her.  She’s a confident and well informed speaker.  Well done, Megan!

After lunch I had a good chat with Cheryl the nurse about her outreach work.  People from as far away as Thursday Island in the Torres Strait come to Cairns to start their hep C treatment.  After about a month of monitoring by the Liver Clinic, the patients can then go home to complete their treatment under the care of their local GP.  Cheryl gets out to the communities as often as possible to provide medical (and moral) support.

We spoke about her work at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre too, and the good results they are getting with hep C treatment for prisoners. 

Anyone wanting more information about viral hepatitis and treatment in Queensland can call the free information line at the Hepatitis Council of Queensland on 1800 648 491.  Or contact your local hepatitis organization.