Winner: Health Innovation Award
The NSW Ministry of Health partnered with NSW Health Pathology and various NSW Health partners to validate the Dried Blood Spot (DBS) test for diagnosing hepatitis C (HCV). The validation of the DBS test is the first of its kind in Australia. This project aims to make DBS testing a standard diagnostic tool, and, if successful, it will change how HCV testing is offered for people at risk of HCV.
Over six months, the NSW Ministry of Health in partnership with four Local Health Districts, Justice Health NSW and Clarence Correctional Centre, collected 1286 samples. NSW Health Pathology analysed the samples to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the DBS test and will use the results to apply to the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) for validation. If approved, this will be the only HCV DBS test available in Australia. The partnerships between the NSW Health sector have been essential for the largescale validation in a short amount of time.
The DBS test provides access to testing for vulnerable populations including people in prison and people with a history of injecting drugs and will help NSW Health meet its goal of eliminating HCV as a public health issue by 2028.
Meet the other finalists for the Health Innovation Award.
