King’s secure funding to launch community viral hepatitis B

19 March 2012 - Hundreds of people across Lambeth and Southwark will benefit from new community-based clinics that will test for and monitor people with hepatitis B.

King’s College Hospital, specialist viral hepatitis nurse, Teresa Bowyer has secured £5,000 to help set up the nurse-led clinics – thought to be the only kind in the UK.

The hepatitis B virus causes the liver to become inflamed, preventing it from working properly. Hepatitis B is more prevalent in people from Asian and Sub-Saharan Africa and is often undiagnosed and symptomless.

As well as offering free viral hepatitis screening to local people, the clinics will enable some of the 1,500 viral hepatitis patients to receive their care closer to home.

Teresa Bowyer, King’s viral hepatitis nurse, said: “Between 15% and 20% of people in Lambeth and Southwark are from countries where viral hepatitis B has a high prevalence, therefore there is a need to increase awareness, testing and referral to specialist services."

Initially the project will fund two clinics that will be run from two GP practices – locations yet to be decided.

“I am delighted that the Queen’s Nursing Institute has recognised the importance of providing additional services for viral hepatitis B patients. This is a new and innovative way of working and a safe and effective alternative for patients with hepatitis B.” Theresa added.

The money was awarded from the Queen’s Nursing Institute as part of their Fund for Innovation and Leadership during 2012 project.

For further information please contact:
Marc Masey
Communications Assistant
marc.masey@nhs.net
Extension: +44 (0)20 3299 3257
Notes to editors

1. King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching hospitals, with nearly 7,000 staff providing around 1,000, 000 patient contacts a year. King’s has a unique profile, with a full range of local hospital services for people in the London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark as well as specialist services to patients from further afield. The Trust is recognized internationally for its work in liver disease and transplantation, neurosciences, cardiac, haemato-oncology, stroke and major trauma. King’s also plays a key role in the training and education of medical, nursing and dental students with its academic partner, King’s College London. For more information, visit http://www.kch.nhs.uk

2. King’s College Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas’ are both part of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a pioneering collaboration between King’s College London, and Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.

King’s Health Partners is one of only five AHSCs in the UK and brings together an unrivalled range and depth of clinical and research expertise, spanning both physical and mental health. Our combined strengths will drive improvements in care for patients, allowing them to benefit from breakthroughs in medical science and receive leading edge treatment at the earliest possible opportunity.

For more information, visit http://www.kingshealthpartners.org