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Concurrent Session 4B: The Right Test for the Right Person in the Right Setting

Tracks
Track 2
Thursday, August 13, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Pleiades

Details

This symposium aims to summarise the available and emerging diagnostics tests for Hepatitis C in Australia, outlining the most recent testing polices, regulatory requirements and operational environments. The panel will than outline five diagnostics testing pathways and discuss how each test can be implemented effectively to meet the clients’ needs and implementing environment in various settings.


Speaker

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Professor Jason Grebely
Professor
The Kirby Institute, Unsw Sydney

The Right Test for the Right Person in the Right Setting

4:00 PM - 4:10 PM

Biography

Jason is a Professor at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney.
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Associate Professor Alisa Pedrana
Principal Research Fellow
Burnet Institute

The Right Test for the Right Person in the Right Setting

4:00 PM - 4:10 PM

Biography

Alisa is an infectious diseases epidemiologist, public health practitioner, and implementation scientist. She head's a multidisciplinary team focused on BBV/STIs epidemiology and trialling new interventions to help prevent, control and eliminate infectious diseases and improve the health of priority populations.
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A/Prof Morgyn Warner
Clinical Director, Microbiology And Infectious Diseases
SA Pathology

Implementing reflexive HCV testing in the Laboratory

4:10 PM - 4:20 PM

Biography

Morgyn is a clinical microbiologist and infectious diseases physician in South Australia. She has treated many patients with viral hepatitis and has been involved in several trials and statewide projects aimed at to improving access to diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis C treatment in priority populations.
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Mr Paul Robinson
Viral Hepatitis Clinical Nurse Consultant
Unsw/ Kirby Institute

Implementing POC & DBS testing in a health service - which test to choose?

4:20 PM - 4:30 PM

Biography

I have extensive experience working in BBV and sexual and reproductive health, focusing on improving access, equity, and outcomes for priority populations. I am currently the Viral Hepatitis Clinical Nurse Consultant with SESLHD Drug & Alcohol Services, responsible for the coordination and management of BBV and sexual health care for clients accessing AOD services across the district. My work is focused on integrating BBV and sexual health care into AOD settings, strengthening clinical pathways, and supporting multidisciplinary teams to deliver flexible and stigma‑free care that meets people where they are at.
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Mr Chris Wallis
Nurse Practitioner
Hepatitis Australia

Shifting testing modalities in Prison - how to best deploy POC and reflexive testing in prison?

4:30 PM - 4:40 PM

Biography

Chris Wallis is a Nurse Practitioner with Hepatitis Australia and West Moreton Prison Health Services (South East QLD). He is currently working on a 12-month pilot project to deliver a nurse-led, telehealth service for rapid access to Hep C treatments across Australia, which aims to remove structural barriers and tackle stigma for people living with Hep C.
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Mx Julie Byrne-King
Nurse Practitioner
Peer Based Harm Reduction Wa

Out on the road - experiences in delivering testing in a mobile van

4:40 PM - 4:50 PM

Biography

Julie is an ‘essential NPC’ and outreach clinician within a peer-based harm-reduction service, providing BBV, sexual health and opportunistic primary care across metropolitan and regional communities. Her work centres on care that adapts to people, not people to systems, driven by a passion for equity and questionable amounts of coffee.
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Ms Shae Roberts
Peer HCV Case Management Worker
Peer Based Harm Reduction WA

Out on the road - experiences in delivering testing in a mobile van

4:40 PM - 4:50 PM

Biography

Shae is a Hepatitis C Case Management Worker with Peer Based Harm Reduction WA in Perth. With lived experience of injecting drug use, Shae brings a unique combination of personal experience and professional expertise to her work supporting people affected by Hepatitis C. She works in the community providing Hepatitis C testing, blood collection, Fibroscan assessments and treatment support helping people navigate their care from diagnosis through to cure. Shae's commitment to peer based support and harm reduction was recognised when she was awarded the AVIL Peer Worker of the Year Award.
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Ms Donna Garcia
Nsp Coordinator/Liaison Officer
HepatitisWA

What do clients prefer? Experiences from peers & community organisations

4:50 PM - 5:00 PM

Biography

Donna has worked at HepatitisWA’s NSP for nine years, beginning as a volunteer after the accidental overdose death of her sister inspired her to support others affected by drug use. She has extensive frontline and grassroots experience, she also now works as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer, helping bridge the gap for Aboriginal clients accessing non-Aboriginal-specific NSP and clinical services, including point-of-care testing (POCT). Donna also delivers POCT outreach as a trained operator, and facilitates yarning sessions at refuges and AOD services, creating culturally safe spaces for education, engagement, and support.
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Jessica McNabb
Clinic Nurse
HepatitisWA - The Deen Clinic

What do clients prefer? Experiences from peers & community organisations

4:50 PM - 5:00 PM

Biography

Jess is a Registered Nurse and has over a decade of nursing experience including general practice, aged care and school nursing. Jess has excellent knowledge of mental health, chronic disease management, immunisations and wound care. Jess is passionate about addressing vulnerable people's health needs and cares for them in a non-judgemental, friendly and supportive manner.
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VH2026

Discussion

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Biography


Chairperson

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Jason Grebely
Professor
The Kirby Institute, Unsw Sydney

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Alisa Pedrana
Principal Research Fellow
Burnet Institute

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