What is the NHC?
National Expertise Centre for Viral Hepatitis
Set up by the association of hepatitis patients, the primary structural aim of the NHC (National Hepatitis Centre) is that of making information available to patients and the general public. Since the institute’s establishment, the provision of information to specialists in the field has also been further professionalized. Key coordinator tasks of the NHC include disclosure and inventory taking of knowledge obtainable from the diverse professional bodies and organizations and making such information available to others. The NHC also has an important signaling function. In this area, the institute is underpinned by an Advisory Council with broad representation from policy-making and operational fields.
The NHC is readily accessible. Participants in its network have their own interests; the centre functions as a point of contact. The extensive network ensures short lines of communication and rapid feedback of data, thus enabling the NHC to respond promptly to topical matters.
What do the NHC’s activities involve?
Mission
In the broadest sense of the word, the NHC’s mission consists of combating viral hepatitis. The centre’s objective is to (constantly) focus attention on viral hepatitis and its effects on both the individual and society in general. The institute’s activities are directed at the micro, meso and macro levels of its target groups. Both independently and in cooperation with other organizations, the NHC aims to contribute to lowering the incidence and prevalence of viral hepatitis in the Netherlands, as well as to increasing familiarity with the disease and the current possibilities as regards its treatment.
Vision
The NHC offers specialists, patients and the general public low-threshold access to high quality data. It is a centre of expertise that also functions as a focal point for all those involved with hepatitis in the policy-making, (para)medical, social and welfare fields who wish to draw attention to and undertake action regarding shortcomings in the medical care surrounding hepatitis.
Objectives based on vision and mission
1. The bringing together of scientific data and information. Processing and distribution of such knowledge to patients, specialists and the general public;
2. Public relations, counseling, promotion of expertise and activities in the field of prevention, whereby the centre responds to current affairs in its role as a signaling organization;
3. Coordination, signaling and stimulation of research and projects, whereby working parties and committees are made use of in the management or even execution of activities;
4. Formation of alliances with organizations and professional bodies involved in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases with a view to introducing specific expertise in the field of hepatitis;
5. Gearing the organization to prevailing needs so that optimal realization of its operational objectives is achieved.
Board of Management
The Board of Management comprises independent experts and delegates from organizations involved with viral hepatitis.
Advisory Council
The NHC receives recommendations from the Advisory Council (AC) with regard to the content of the policy to be followed. The members of the AC advise partner organizations of current NHC activities and also explicitly offer views and suggestions with regard to new projects and the course to be taken by the institute. The AC and in particular its chairman, monitor the progress of ongoing projects and assess new project proposals. To this end, standard procedures and documentation have been developed.
Expertise centre for Viral Hepatitis
The NHC’s staff themselves carry out the institute’s everyday tasks. These tasks consist of the disclosure of information, public relations and counseling, consultancy and the promotion of expertise, organizational tasks within the NHC, coordination, the implementation of projects and the carrying out of research.