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Staying Safe When Services Slow Down

Hepatitis Care, Support & Testing Over the Holiday Break

The holiday season might be full of end-of-year catch-ups, warm weather, and well-earned downtime but for many people in our community, December and January can also be a challenging period. Services slow down with clinics closing or reduced hours, transport becomes harder, and for those who rely on regular health care, sterile equipment, medication refills, or social support, even a short break in routine can create stress.

That’s why planning ahead matters and why we are here to help you stay safe, supported and informed throughout the holiday period.

Our Office Hours Over the Break

Hepatitis ACT will be closed from 5pm on 19 December 2025 until 9am on 5 January 2026.
You can still access FREE hepatitis information and support through HepLink Australia on 1800 437 222 until 5pm on 19 December 2025. HepLink provides confidential advice about hepatitis B and C, testing and treatment, and can help connect you with services.

Photo Sourced from HepLink

What is closed over the break?

We have curated a list of places that will be shutting down during the holidays below:

Hepatitis ACT – Closed between 5pm 19 December 2025 – 9am 05 January 2026

HepLink line 1800 437 222 – Closed between 5pm 19 December 2025 – 9am 05 January 2026

Pathology collection centres – run reduced hours over December and early January, some close completely between Christmas and New Year

Directions Health Services – Closed between 3pm 24 December 2025 – 9am 2 January 2026 (opening on reduced hours on 29, 30, 31 December 2025 between 10am-2pm)

Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation & Advocacy (CAHMA) – Closed between 12pm 19 December 2025 – 9am 05 January 2026

Companion House – Closed between 5pm 24 December – 9am 05 January 2026

Early Morning Centre (EMC) – Closed between 2pm 23 December 2025 – 9am 05 January 2026

Sexual Health & Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) – Closed between 4pm 19 December 2025 – 9am 06 January 2026

Meridian – Closed between 5pm 23 December 2025 – 9am 05 January 2026

Communities at Work (Tuggeranong & Gungahlin) – Closed between 5pm 24 December 2025 – 9am 05 January 2026

Alcohol Tobacco & Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA) – Closed between 12pm 24 December 2025 – 9am 05 January 2026

Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation – Closed between 5pm 19 December 2025 – 9am 05 January 2026

Winninga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services – Closed between 1pm 24 December 2025 – 28 December 2025. (reopens 29, 30, 31 December 2025 on reduced hours 9am – 1pm). Closed 01 January 2025 – Reopens 02 January 2026.

Tedd Noffs Foundation Outreach Programs – Closed between 5pm 19 December 2025 – 9am 05 January 2026

Karralika Programs – Only closed for public holidays 25,26 December 2025 & 01 January 2026 – have a look at the link for more

Alcohol and Drug Services (ADS), Canberra Health Services – includes closures and opens of different areas, check the link

Mental health helplines | healthdirect – If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Access Mental Health: 1800 629 354 – Canberra Health Services – The Access Mental Health Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (free call) 1800 629 354 

If you’re unsure where to go, what’s open, or how to stay safe – reach out. A quick conversation can make the holiday season much easier to navigate. The festive season should be a time of connection, rest, and celebration, not stress about reduced services or health worries. A bit of preparation, some practical steps, and the right support can help you move through December and January confidently.

Plan Ahead: What to Do Before Services Close

A little preparation now can make the break smoother and safer later.

✔ Refill your medications early
If you take hepatitis B medication, hepatitis C antivirals, or liver-health prescriptions, speak with your GP or pharmacist as early as possible in December. Many clinics close over Christmas, and pharmacies often operate on reduced hours. Always travel with more medication than you need, in case of delays or unexpected closures.

✔ Check your testing needs
If you’re due for hepatitis B monitoring, hepatitis C testing, liver-function tests, or general health checks, consider booking these before the break. Pathology labs and GP clinics often have limited availability from late December through early January.

✔ Stock up on sterile equipment
Needle and syringe services (NSP’s) including ours, across Canberra adjust their hours during the holiday period. Plan ahead by collecting enough equipment, disposal options, and safer-injecting resources before closures begin.

Where to Access Support During the Holiday Period

Even when some services shut down, help is still available – you just need to know where to look.

Pharmacies
Many ACT pharmacies remain open on public holidays (with holiday trading hours). They can provide:

  • Medication refills (where appropriate)
  • Needle and syringe equipment
  • Basic health advice
  • Over-the-counter items to support liver health and wellbeing

After-Hours & Emergency Care
For urgent medical concerns, including symptoms of acute hepatitis, severe illness or medication complications, you can access:

Needle & Syringe Program (NSP) Locations
Some NSPs operate on modified hours throughout late December and early January. If you arrive and a service is closed:

  • Use sterile equipment only
  • Avoid sharing or reusing any injecting equipment
  • If you’re stuck without equipment, pharmacies are the safest alternative
  • Keep equipment stored clean and dry until you can dispose of it safely

Support

Managing Medications Safely Over the Break

Whether you’re travelling, staying home, or moving between households, make sure your medication plan is sorted.

If you miss a dose:

  • Take it as soon as you remember
  • If it’s close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one – don’t double up
  • Resume your normal routine
  • If you’re unsure, call your GP, pharmacist, or Health Direct for advice

If you run out of medication:

  • Contact a pharmacy or after-hours medical service
  • Some emergency supplies can be issued in certain situations
  • For hepatitis B medication, continuously stopping and starting can cause liver flares – seek clinical advice as soon as possible

Storage tips:

  • Keep medicine in original packaging
  • Avoid leaving medication in a hot car or direct sunlight
  • If travelling, carry it in your hand luggage, not checked bags

Stay Safe, Stay Prepared

Needing help over the holiday period is completely normal. Life doesn’t pause in December and neither do health needs. We understand that routines change, support systems shift, and sometimes people find themselves without what they need. Our approach remains the same year-round: no judgement, no assumptions, just practical help, harm reduction, and clear information so you can stay safe.

How Hepatitis ACT Can Support You

  • Hepatitis B & C education
  • Safer-injecting information and NSP equipment
  • Referrals to health and community services
  • Support navigating medication decisions
  • Guidance on where to access NSP equipment
  • Connections to testing pathways

From the team at Hepatitis ACT, we are wishing you a safe, supported and healthy holiday season.