Saying goodbye to stigma
Barts Health has committed to creating a stigma-free environment for all our staff and patients who are living with HIV.
Earlier this year, we signed up to become a founding member of the HIV Confident Charter, an initiative of the National AIDS Trust (NAT). Becoming a HIV Confident organisation will enable patients and colleagues living with HIV to know that they can access our services, or work for us, with confidence and without fear of discrimination.
Following our submission we have been recognised as a HIV Confident Organisation. A big thank you to all the members of staff that helped along the process, especially the HIV Service and LGBTQ+ Staff Network.
Robbie Currie, Chief Executive Officer of National AIDS Trust, said:
“To achieve the goal of zero new HIV transmissions by 2030, education and awareness are crucial.
"I am delighted to congratulate Barts NHS Trust on receiving the HIV Confident charter mark. Having completed the programme, people living with HIV will know that Barts is a place where they can feel welcomed and supported.”
Will Kirby, Quality Improvement Advisor Manager and Jonathan Livingstone, Wellbeing and Inclusion Manager are both Trust Co-Chairs of the LGBTQ+ Staff Network. They added:
"Becoming a HIV Confident organisation is a huge step forward for Barts Health in ending stigma to all patients and staff living with HIV.
"As co-chairs of the LGBTQ+ Network we are extremely proud of this achievement, as HIV has a long history impacting the LGBTQ+ community. Moving forward we will be embedding a new stigma reporting structure and HIV Confident Champions so we can monitor and respond appropriately to all concerns.
"Hopefully this means we can greatly reduce or even eliminate experiences of HIV stigma at Barts Health."
In the UK, more than 105,000 people are living with HIV. Globally, an estimated 38 million people live with the virus. More than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS related illnesses over the past 40 years, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Medical advances mean people with HIV in the UK can expect a long and healthy life and that we have the tools to stop HIV transmissions for good. But HIV continues to be highly stigmatised and misunderstood.