Terrence Higgins Trust adds its support to Frontline First

Terrence Higgins Trust, the national charity for HIV and sexual health, is pleased to support the Frontline First campaign.

There are an estimated 83,000 people living with HIV in the UK and approximately 28% of these people do not know their diagnosis. HIV is now one of the fastest growing long term health conditions with many patients receiving their care from specialist nurses.

Now that there are many proposed changes to the commissioning and funding of healthcare and public health it is essential that sexual health and HIV services are maintained and developed to help reduce the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and HIV.  Nurses working in all settings have a role to play in promoting good sexual health especially in relation to young people.  The National Chlamydia Screening Programme in England is proving to be a success in relation to diagnosing and treating undiagnosed Chlamydia, as well as raising awareness of the specific sexual health needs of young people.

Specialist HIV nurses working in primary and secondary care play a significant role in supporting people living with HIV.  A specialist nurse can enable a patient to access specialist services, adhere to medicines, manage symptoms at home, and reduce the need for a patient to be admitted to hospital.  This does not only have economic benefits but it will also increase the quality of the patient’s life.

The role of the specialist HIV nurse is vital not only in relation to providing patient care but in educating members of the healthcare team and reducing the stigma associated with HIV.  With proposed changes in budget provision it’s essential that specialist nurse roles and maintained.

THT is currently undertaking work to influence the new commissioning and health care agendas to ensure that the voice of people living with HIV is heard, and that people living in the UK are able to access sexual health and contraception services. 

For more information about HIV and sexual health and to see the areas that THT is currently lobbying for, and influencing, visit our website:  www.tht.org.uk