To date several strategies have been used to improve access to treatment. These include:
• An increased in the number of liver/hepatitis clinics in tertiary hospitals,
• The introduction of shared care programs between general practitioners (GP) and tertiary hospitals,
• The establishment of hepatitis C clinics in secondary hospitals, regional centres, private clinics and prisons, and
• A hepatitis C GP training program and accreditation
for prescribing.
Although these strategies have met with some success, other issues such as: technological advances; the complexities in treatment programs (McHutchison et al 2002); and the significant rise in the number of hepatitis patients in Western Australia, prompted the Liver Service team at Royal Perth Hospital to review its practice in the management of client care. As part of this review, it was decided that the clinical nurse consultant (CNC) role needed to be expanded to that of nurse practitioner (NP). The nurse practitioner scope of practice has a legislative base which authorises the NP to order diagnostic tests, prescribe appropriate medicines and refer clients on to other health professionals.