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Hep C Program

Empowering Individuals Affected by Hepatitis C with Compassionate Support and Care

Benefits

What are the Advantages of the Hep C Program?

Flexible Outreach

As an outreach team, we prioritize meeting clients wherever they feel most comfortable – be it their homes, coffee shops, other facilities, or even doctor’s offices.

Tailored Support

With professionals such as physicians, nurses, social workers, and outreach workers, we offer a holistic approach to address diverse needs.

Inclusive Access

Our services are open to anyone living with or at risk of acquiring Hepatitis C, particularly those identified as at-risk populations by the Ministry of Health.

Collaborative Network

We collaborate with organizations like Shelter Health Network, Charlton Health, and the AIDS & Hepatitis C Secretariat to enhance our services.

Continued Support

We provide continuous support and resources to empower individuals in their journey to health and wellness, promoting long-term stability and resilience against Hepatitis C.

Program Overview

The Ontario Hepatitis C Teams were created by the Ministry of Health to support marginalized populations in Ontario who have or are at risk for hepatitis C.  

At Wayside House of Hamilton, our Hep C Team serves Hamilton, Six Nations, and the Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation providing support and comprehensive services to clients throughout the treatment process. Our services include outreach, assessment, referral, psycho-social counselling, peer support, education, awareness, medical assistance, and support through the treatment process. 

The Shelter Health Hep C Team recognizes harm reduction and best practice, focusing on healthy living and recovery. The teams are grounded in principles of health equity, harm reduction and involvement of people with lived experience.  

Waysides Commitment to Excellence

The Hepatitis-C Team follows the Mission of the Ministry of Health & Long-term Care’s AIDS & Hepatitis C programs: 

“To establish treatment services that will help curb the spread of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), by ensuring that people are diagnosed, and treated for Hepatitis C.”

The Hepatitis C Team has been funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s AIDS & Hepatitis C Secretariat to provide services and comprehensive medical care, and treatment to individuals, living with, affected by, or at risk of acquiring, the Hepatitis C Virus within the City of Hamilton and the Six nations Reserve in Ohsweken.

  • Hepatitis C Treatment
  • Hepatitis C Testing
  • Hepatitis C Counselling
  • Hepatitis C Case Management
  • Education & Awareness​​
  • Capacity Building for Professionals
  • Peer Support Training Program
  • Harm Reduction
  • Addiction Focus​

Anyone who is living with or at risk of acquiring Hepatitis C qualifies for our services. Our target population are those who meet the following criteria (this list is identified from the MOH as being at-risk for HCV):

  • ​People who use drugs.
  • People involved with the correctional system.
  • People who are homeless or under-housed.​
  • Aboriginal Peoples.
  • Street-involved youth.
  • People with tattoos and/or body piercings.


​The team is affiliated with the Shelter Health Network, Charlton Health and the AIDS & Hepatitis C Secretariat to serve clients by providing quality care and treatment. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The cost is covered through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s AIDS & Hepatitis C Secretariat if they are receiving Ontario Works or ODSP.  An individual’s employment benefits may cover the cost of medication or there is the Trillium Drug Program.  There will never be a cost of treatment for the person taking the treatment.

  • You would need to have blood labs before we schedule an appointment with our hepatologist. An abdominal ultrasound will also need to be completed, but treatment can be initiated prior to completion of ultrasound.

  • Hepatitis C is a blood virus that is contracted through only blood. It is primarily contracted through shared drug paraphernalia and jailhouse/non-professional tattoos in North America.

  • You can follow the referral button on the webpage, contact the program directly through email, or phone.  We accept self-referrals and referrals from professionals.

Still have questions?

Visit our FAQ Page

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Certifications & Funding

Wayside House of Hamilton is funded by the Ministry of Health and the generous support of our community partners. We are a proud member of Addictions & Mental Health Ontario, an integrated system of 150 service providers across the province. We have been accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation since 2016, a designation that signifies our commitment to compassionate, quality service.