HIV Related Stigma: Department of Health Update

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HIV Related Stigma Department of Health Update

• Kay Orton
• Policy Lead, National Programme Delivery Team
  Sexual Health
• 10 March 2006

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Content

• HIV in the UK
• Stigma and Discrimination Action Plan
• Forthcoming consultation on confidentiality and
  sexually transmitted infections

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HIV in UK (2004)

• 7,275 new diagnoses
• MSM most at risk of HIV in UK
• 2,185 new HIV diagnoses 2004 in MSM (30)
• 4,287 heterosexually acquired infections (59)
• 73 of which probably acquired in Africa

• 498 diagnoses heterosexuals within the UK
• Decline in AIDS diagnoses (813) deaths (467)
• 42,182 people seen for HIV care
• 49 HIV care takes place in London
• Increased uptake of VCT in GUM in MSM and
  heterosexuals

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Stigma Action Plan Policy Context

• National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV
  (2001)
• Choosing Health White Paper (2004)
• UN Declaration of Commitment (2001)
• European Commission Communication on AIDS (2005)

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DH Action Plan - Aims

• Improve access to, and uptake of, services and
  information
• Improve rates of diagnoses of HIV
• Reduce rates of onwards transmission (reducing
  undiagnosed)
• Improve quality of life for people with HIV
• Address health inequalities and social exclusion

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Content

• Definitions
• Legislative Framework
• Evidence
• UNAIDS good practice
• dissemination of information
• acquisition of skills
• counselling approaches
• greater involvement of people living with HIV
• challenging discrimination

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Key actions - DH

• Review existing HIV health promotion contracts
• Priority for Section 64 for 2006/07
• Provide clear information on HIV
• Continue to work with other government
  departments on issues which impact upon people
  with HIV
• Support workforce training to help counter HIV
  stigma discrimination

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Key actions - others

• Actively monitor and challenge HIV discrimination
• Involve PLWH in policy making, planning and
  commissioning process
• Familiarisation with existing guidance (eg HIV
  Standards)
• Evaluate anti-stigma interventions and
  disseminate
• Review professional guidance, codes of practice
  and other relevant publications in respect of HIV

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Confidentiality Disclosure of Patient
Information STIs

• Background to consultation and process
• Common law of confidence
• Human Rights Act 1998 (Article 8 of ECHR)
• NHS (Venereal Diseases) Regulations 1974 and NHS
  Trusts and PCTs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
  Directions 2000

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Forthcoming consultation cont

• Interpretation of the Regulations Directions
• Underpinning policy context
• Discussion and aim for consensus on
• Disclosure without patients consent
• Not disclosing
• Responsibility for decision
• Disclosure to whom
• Scenarios