An Overview and Evaluation of Combining an Addiction Liaison Nurse Outpatient Service With Hepatitis C Outpatient Clinics in Glasgow, Scotland

Abstract

A new purpose-built facility for the care of patients with Hepatitis C was opened at Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2009, bringing together infectious diseases and gastroenterology disciplines. An addiction liaison nurse outpatient service was established alongside existing Hepatitis C outpatient clinics in October 2010. This service supports staff and patients with Hepatitis C and addiction issues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of combining the Addiction Liaison Nurse outpatient service with the Hepatitis C outpatient clinic. Two methods were used in data collection. A brief questionnaire asking staff their view on the addiction liaison service and addiction issues with regard to Hepatitis C was distributed and completed by personnel assigned to the clinics. Staff were also queried about their view on the number and quality of referrals generated by the addiction liaison clinic. The results from the questionnaire indicate that staff agreed that patients should be abstinent from alcohol and illicit drugs before and during treatment of Hepatitis C. Further research is called for with regard to abstinence from alcohol and drugs before and during Hepatitis C treatment.