Adults and Communities HIV Team

Sensitivity and Confidentiality

The HIV Team offers support and advice to service users, carers and staff living with HIV and is responsible for the implementation of the Directorate's policy on HIV/AIDS.

The Team has responsibility for coordinating services, training and information to the Adults and Communities and Children, Young People and Families Directorates.

Both the 'National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990' and the 'Children Act 1989' emphasise the importance of involving people who use or may require health and social care services in the planning, monitoring and review of such services.

We provide:

• a range of information leaflets. The Newly Diagnosed leaflet is also available in 6 community languages - French, Portuguese, Somali, Arabic, Lingala and Swahili. Copies of leaflets are available as attachments at the bottom of this page or on request from the HIV Team (0121) 303 1002
• a counselling service for infected and affected staff members
• liaison with voluntary and health sector agencies to develop community care services
• an information service about the types and nature of respite facilities available to HIV positive people and their carers
• pre-test advice for staff working with Looked After Children
• a sexual health policy for Looked After Children
• a rolling training programme on HIV and Personal Relationships and Sexual Health for staff of both Directorates.

Who can get the service?

The Adults and Communities Directorate HIV Team offers advice and information on the rights of, and services available to, all people affected by HIV in Birmingham.

Our service is also for people living with HIV who are moving into Birmingham from another area. We will liaise with service providers and treatment centres to make sure the move and settling-in period are well-coordinated, before the service user is transferred to a specialist social worker.

How can other Adults and Communities staff help?

Many social workers, social work assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapists assistants, home carers, day nursery staff, staff in residential homes and day centres, foster carers, administrative staff and managers across client groups and across the Directorate, have received training in the issues involved in HIV/AIDS. Staff are therefore available in all teams to adapt their services to the needs of people affected by HIV.

In addition, there are social workers based in the three hospital treatment centres in Birmingham. These are:

Social Work Department
Heart of England Foundation Trust
Birmingham and Solihull Heartlands Hospital
Bordesley Green East
Birmingham B9 5TT

Phone: 0121 424 1622

Community Care Team
University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust
Selly Oak Hospital
Raddlebarn Rd
Selly Oak
Birmingham B29 6JD

Phone: 0121 627 8677

Haemophilia Social worker
Community Care team
University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
3rd Floor , Nuffield house
Edgbaston
Birmingham B15 2TH

Phone: 0121 627 2350

Is there a charge?

There is no direct charge for advice. Any normal service charges, if any, would apply.

Standards to expect

Confidentiality

Staff are trained to take account of the variety and changing pattern of needs which arise in HIV so as to respect the range of individual lifestyles and circumstances. People affected by HIV should not experience discrimination arising from HIV or other personal issues in seeking or receiving services.

Want more information?

If you require confidential advice or information contact the social work team at your hospital or the

HIV Team
33b Hubert Rd
Selly Oak
Birmingham
B29 6DX

Telephone:0121 303 1002

Email:SCHHT@birmingham.gov.uk Your message can be anonymous if you prefer.

Please note: The HIV Team does not operate a 24 hour service. The team can be contacted during office hours which are Monday - Thursday 08.45 - 17.15 and Friday 08.45 - 16.15. If you require urgent advice on HIV testing or sexual health matters, please contact the Sexual Health Line on 0800 567 123 or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Local information

We have pages on this site that detail local information on HIV services in Birmingham, support groups, testing information and information for people from abroad who are resident in Birmingham.

See 'In this section', below, for details of all pages contained within this section of the website.

Could you help us to improve HIV services?

As a way of continually improving services we would like to give you the opportunity to share your experiences of HIV services in Birmingham, and would welcome your comments. Carers of people living with HIV are also welcome to share their experiences.

Tracey Jones, Service Development Officer is open to invitations to meet HIV peer support groups to discuss her role and also to hear users' and carers' views on services for HIV positive people in Birmingham.

You can contact Tracey by email at SCHHT@birmingham.gov.uk.

If you do not attend a group or do not have access to email and would prefer to contact us by telephone, please call 0121 303 1002 within office hours, which are: Monday - Thursday 08.45 - 17.15 and Fridays 08.45 - 16.15.


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