Hepatitis C can now be cured. If you were diagnosed with Hep C years ago, you may have stopped engaging with the medical services. You could have moved and lost contact with your consultant. The new cure is a course of tablets which have little or no side effects. If you would like help to link back in with medical services please contact us. Everyone is entitled to the treatment for free, but you need to be on the list to receive it.
If you have recently been diagnosed you might have many feelings and questions about this new information. Here is a link to our leaflet, which was written by people who have been diagnosed with Hep C, for people in your situation – GOSHH – Living with Hep C
If you have been told you are no longer living with Hep C, and that you have either cleared the virus yourself, or have been cured by medication, you can also contact us. Sometimes, it can take a while for emotions and questions to arise. We also support people who are now Hep C free.
A guide to the Hepatitis C Services on offer at GOSHH is available here – GOSHH HCV Leaflet 2017
A detailed history of Hepatitis Services at GOSHH (previously Red Ribbon Project) is available here – Case Study – Peer Development HCV
If you are living with Hepatitis, have just received a new diagnosis, or have received the treatment and are now living without Hep C, we can offer you the following free services:
- Peer support
- Personal support
- Counselling
- Complementary therapy
- Sexual health information and support
- Advocacy
Peer Support
Whilst reading about Hepatitis C can provide all the information you may require, talking to someone else who is living with Hepatitis C can also offer you additional understanding and support. We have contact with many individuals who are living with Hepatitis C and also other organisations around the country that may be relevant to you. We facilitate a group for people living with Hep C and we host a Hepatitis C professional network which has representatives from the peer support group included.
Personal Support
We recognise that even if you know about Hepatitis C, at various times in your life you may have specific support needs. You may have housing difficulties or other practical things that need to be dealt with, we may be able to help with some of it.
Receiving a positive result for Hepatitis C may leave you with questions. We have years of experience with Hepatitis C and many more professional contacts to help answer your questions. Having the answers to any and all questions which you have may assist you in coming to terms with your diagnosis and living a healthy life. Please contact us if you need to.
Counselling
We have counsellors in our project whom you can explore the more private, emotional side of receiving a positive Hepatitis C result and know that it will remain confidential.
Complementary Therapies
Complementary therapies can help to keep your immune system strong and your stress levels down. We currently offer Reiki.
Sexual Health Information and Support
In addition to our information on sexual health, secondary prevention, and how to avoid other sexually transmitted infections, we can supply condoms, female condoms, glyde dams, gloves and lube. Everything you might need to continue a healthy sex life. These items are available by asking for them at reception.
Advocacy
We have information about local alcohol / drugs services including needle exchange and community detox programmes. We can refer you to an agency that would suit your needs.
Sometimes people who are living with Hepatitis C face discrimination and are stigmatised. We can provide you with an advocate (someone to speak with or on behalf of another) to deal with any agency or individual to minimise the impact of this discrimination and to help challenge the discrimination at a legal level. Please contact us if you require legal advice or an advocate.
Other
If you are looking for something specific that is not on this page, please let us know. We are a person centred service and aim to provide you with what you need. If we cannot provide it we will almost certainly be able to refer you to someone who can.
To contact someone for support or information around Hepatitis C please contact our office on 061 314354 or email support@goshh.ie or info@goshh.ie