Baby boomer resource feedback

Hepatitis Queensland has produced a poster to be used during the 2013 World Hepatitis Day campaign. The primary aim of this resource is to engage the baby boomer generation with healthcare services and management of their hepatitis C.  We are currently collecting comments on this draft.  If you can help us with providing feedback that would be appreciated. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BabyBoomerWHD13  and submit your comments before 5:00PM Wednesday 22 May 2013.

There are several promising new hepatitis C treatments in development, including the first all oral medications, which may be of use to you, your family and friends affected by hepatitis C.

Our team tries to find new answers that could help you and the rest of our online community – this is why we’re asking you the following questions.

The survey will only take around 5 minutes of your time, your responses will remain confidential and anonymous and, at the end of the survey, you’ll be able to enter a prize draw for a chance to win an iPad mini.

We would greatly appreciate if you could complete the survey and, if appropriate, share with friends and on your site.

The winner will be selected at random and notified by email by 24 May 2013.

Survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5HD7SKN

A POLICE officer who contracted Hepatitis C in a brawl with a drunken suspect has won his nine-year battle for worker's compensation.

In a judgment published today, the Workers Compensation Tribunal has found SA Police must pay for the officer's physical and psychological suffering.

Deputy President Judge Peter McCusker ruled medical evidence proved the officer, known as "P", contracted the virus while on duty in 1988.

"I find the worker suffered injury in the nature of Hepatitis C and subsequent fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome and psychological disability... in the course of employment," he said.

"The worker has been thereby incapacitated."

In his judgment, Judge McCusker said P's illness arose from an incident on October 17, 1988.

At the time, P was stationed at Darlington, and had pulled a driver over on Ocean Boulevard for a drink-driving check.

"(The driver) was instructed to remain at the scene (but) disobeyed this direction," he said.

"(The driver) hit P violently with a closed fist, breaking his nose and causing a significant facial cut that bled.

"P ultimately required two stitches (because) blood was flowing freely from his nose."

Judge McCusker said the driver - "a muscular" 25-year-old with prominent tattoos - also bashed his own head on the car's door frame.

"P's partner recorded the driver's face being flushed and `covered in blood'," he said.

Subsequent testing revealed the driver was an intravenous drug user who carried the Hepatitis C virus.

In 2004, P was unable to continue working due to treatment for the virus.

Citing extensive medical evidence, Judge McCusker said the 1988 incident was the only possible source for P's Hepatitis C.

He said the officer had never used intravenous drugs, had unsafe sex or had a "hairdressing cut".

"P's main problem is his fatigue and this clearly incapacitates him," he said.

"He is no longer fit for patrol work."

He upheld P's claim and ordered the parties to present submissions on the amount and form of compensation to be provided.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au