New liver clinic opens in Hawkesbury

30 Jul 2019

 30 July 2019

Since Monday 29 July 2019 the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District has been operating a monthly clinic at the Hawkesbury District Health Service in Windsor for patients with liver disease.

Clinical Nurse Consultant Vince Fragomeli said the new local clinic run by specially trained nurses saves patients from making a journey to Nepean Hospital.

“The new free clinic is a one-stop shop for people living with liver disease,” Mr Fragomeli said, who also runs a similar clinic at Nepean Hospital.

“We can treat a range of liver problems including fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic liver disease, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

“Frequent check-ups, specialised tests and prescriptions are essential for treating people with liver disease”.

Hepatitis C for example is curable in over 95 per cent of cases with a simple course of oral medication for 8 to 12 weeks, but if left untreated the blood borne virus can potentially cause severe liver damage.

“Our free clinic can conduct blood tests and provide confidential advice to patients who think they may have Hepatitis or other liver problems,” Mr Fragomeli said

“While we always encourage patients to talk to their GP, a doctor’s referral is not necessary for the first visit to the clinic.”.

The Hawkesbury Liver Clinic is open monthly on Mondays from 9.00am to 12 noon, except public holidays.

The Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District’s Everybody Live Well website, has a quick and easy self-assessment tool to check if you are at risk of Hepatitis C.

For more information about the clinic or to make an appointment please call Vince Fragomeli on (02) 4734 3466.