Welcome

Welcome to the information page for New Zealand. Here you can find information about the New Zealand Herpes Management Forum (NHMF).

Aims & Objectives/Mission Statement

The New Zealand Herpes Foundation is a not for profit Charitable Trust.

Mission Statement

To enhance the social context in which people with genital herpes live, by facilitating support networks, promoting education programmes,and the optimal management of genital herpes.

The objectives of the NZHF are:

• To provide support, current educational material and management options in a caring, friendly, confidential environment for people with genital herpes

• To liaise with health professionals, providing a support network to assist in the responsible management of genital herpes

• Ultimately, to improve the social context in which people with genital herpes live their lives.

Board Members

NZHF Professional Advisory Board Membership List comprising representatives from the Colleges/Societies listed

Australia/New Zealand College of Sexual Health Physicians

Dr Edward Coughlan, Sexual Health Physician, Director Christchurch Sexual Health Services, Christchurch

Dr Jane Morgan, Sexual Health Physician. Director, Hamilton Sexual Health Service

Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Dr Ann Robertson, Consultant O&G and Sexual Health Physician, Palmerston North

Virology

Dr Kitty Croxson, Consultant Virologist, Auckland Hospital

New Zealand Paediatric Society

Professor Keith Grimwood, Department of Paediatrics, Wellington Hospital

Royal College of General Practice

Dr Phil Jacobs

Psychotherapy

Catherine Cook, Psychotherapist, Auckland

Nursing

Claire Hurst, New Zealand Herpes Foundation, Auckland

Family Planning Association

Dr Christine Roke, Clinical Director of Family Planning, Auckland

New Zealand Dermatological Society

Dr Darion Rowan, Consultant Dermatologist, Auckland

Current Activities and Future Plans

The NZHF, now fully funded by the Ministry of Health, provides a comprehensive range of services for patients and health professionals which includes:

• 24-hour toll-free helpline with comprehensive pre-recorded information, plus an option to speak to a nurse/counsellor from Monday to Friday between 3pm and 6pm

• A package of patient information pamphlets which can be posted directly and/or are supplied through health professionals to patients

• A website which includes all the patient information resources, the management guidelines, and a powerpoint lecture on management of genital herpes www.herpes.org.nz for medical practitioners to deliver for CME

• Up-to-date guidelines on the management of genital herpes

• Providing lectures, CME to medical professionals and allied health professionals on the management of genital herpes

• The NZHF has recently done a repeat survey of management of genital herpes by general practitioners. The first was carried out in 1995 and showed significant gaps in optimal management of genital herpes. The repeat survey shows improvement in many areas including GP's general knowledge about epidemiology, asymptomatic shedding and transmission and the clinical significance of the link between oral herpes HSV-1 and genital herpes HSV-2

• Local Herpes Support Groups – The Auckland Herpes Support Group meets monthly. There are no other local support groups currently in New Zealand.

Meetings

The 7th annual NZHF PAB meeting took place on the 14th December 2003 in Auckland. The primary focus of the meeting was to update the 2002 (6th Edition) Guidelines and the patient resource pamphlets. The 8th meeting of the NZHF PAB is planned for November 2005.

Publications

Guidelines for the Management of Genital herpes in New Zealand, 7th Edition 2004