HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru (THT Cymru) is asking people living with HIV across Wales to give their views on how local HIV services could be improved, with the aim of using this feedback to redesign these services.

From Monday 20 September to Friday 22 October, people with HIV will be invited to complete and return a simple questionnaire, which will be available from GUM departments and HIV clinics across the country, as well as THT Cymru’s centres in Cardiff and Swansea. Commissioned by the recently relaunched All Wales HIV Network, the questionnaire looks at areas including HIV treatment, medical support, emotional support, and how people with HIV access information.

Once the assessment period is complete, the All Wales HIV Network will use responses to shape plans for new services.

A 36-year-old man living with HIV in South Wales said: "I've had both good and bad experiences of HIV services in Wales. I think there's definitely a need for better training in some clinics; when the doctor first confirmed I was HIV-positive, he kept his newspaper open on his desk and took a call on his mobile, which  was pretty dehumanising. There have also been times I've had to fight to get information about support groups and other resources. I will definitely be completing the questionnaire, and hope I can play my part in improving services for others living with HIV in Wales."

Pete Clark, National Director for THT Cymru, said: “This is a great opportunity for people living with HIV to tell Public Health Wales what they want from their healthcare services. We know, for example, that many people with HIV in Mid Wales and other rural areas have to travel considerable distances to attend important clinic appointments. This can be time-consuming and stressful. But unless such problems are highlighted to the health service, things are unlikely to change.

“We want to work closely with the All Wales HIV Network to improve the lives of people with HIV from all over the country, so we hope people will take this opportunity to make their voices heard and push for real changes to the way HIV is managed within Wales.”

For further information about the questionnaire, or to request a copy by post, please contact THT Cymru’s Cardiff centre on (02920) 666465.

http://www.tht.org.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2010/september/september...