Clinics & services

Hepatitis B and C screening for mental health consumers staying in hospital

At Austin Health, we are improving how we test for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C for mental health consumers staying in hospital.
 
Part of the Helping You Stay Well initiative.

From 1 September 2025, we’re including routine screening for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as part of the standard blood tests during your stay in the following mental health units:

  • Acute Psychiatry Unit (APU)
  • Secure Extended Care Unit (SECU)
  • Psychological Trauma Response Service (Ward 17)
  • Psychiatry Assessment and Planning Unit (PAPU)
  • Brain Disorders Unit (BDU)
  • Parent Infant Program (PIP)
  • Eating Disorders Unit (EDU)

Why are we screening for Hepatitis B and C?

Hepatitis B and C are common viral infections that affect the liver. Most people don’t have symptoms, so they often don’t know they have it. If left untreated, these infections can cause serious health problems like liver damage and cancer.

This screening will help:

  • find infections early, when treatment works best
  • offer a simple cure for Hepatitis C – usually just tablets for 8 to 12 weeks
  • provide free Hepatitis B vaccination if you're not already immune
  • support Australia’s goal to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030

People living with mental illness are at higher risk, and this new approach helps make sure everyone has equal access to care.

Do I have to take part in the screening?

No – it’s your choice.

  • You will be told about the testing when you're admitted
  • You can say no to the test, just like with any medical procedure
  • Saying no won’t affect your care in any way
  • But testing can help detect infection early and keep you healthy

What if my test is positive?

  • We’ll connect you with a specialist liver nurse to guide you through treatment
  • All results are kept strictly confidential
  • Your GP will receive the results in your discharge summary
  • You can ask for a copy of your results any time by contacting Austin Health Medical Records

If your blood test shows you’re not immune to Hepatitis B, we can offer you the vaccine to protect you.

How does this help others?

By taking part, you’re helping us improve care for future mental health consumers. Your experience will help shape better, more inclusive healthcare for everyone.

Want to know more?

If you have questions or want more information, contact:

Dr Partha Das

Principal Investigator

Phone: 03 9496 5000

Email: mhdhep@austin.org.au 

Who can I contact if I have any concerns about the project?

This project is approved by the Austin Health Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref: VicTRI-21065).

If you have any concerns or feedback you don’t want to raise with the research team, contact our Patient Experience Office:

Patient Experience Team

Phone: 03 9496 3566

Email: feedback@austin.org.au 

Please mention the project name or ethics ID:

Project name

Hospital-based Hepatitis B and C Screening and Treatment approach for Mental Health Inpatients

Ethics ID

VicTRI-21065

This project is a collaboration between our Mental Health Division and the Department of Gastroenterology.