Contact us / appointments
HIV Care
We provide specialist, person-centred care for people living with HIV across Dorset. Our aim is to support you to live well with HIV by offering high-quality clinical care, practical support and treatment options that fit your life.
OUR CLINICAL TEAM
Consultants
Our HIV Consultants are specialist doctors who lead your clinical care. They work with you to plan treatment, monitor your health and support you to make informed decisions about your care. Consultants also work closely with other health care professionals to ensure your treatment is safe, effective and tailored to your needs. Typically you will be seen by a consultant at least once a year, interim visits are usually with one of our clinical specialists.
Clinical Specialists
Our Clinical Specialists are highly trained, regulated professionals who work under the supervision of a consultant as part of the multidisciplinary HIV team. They contribute specialist knowledge and skills drawn from recognised clinical and therapeutic disciplines, supporting both your physical and psychological wellbeing and working closely with other members of the service to ensure joined‑up, high‑quality care.
Our Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are experienced HIV nurses who provide medical advice, emotional support and practical help. They are often your main point of contact and can offer guidance regarding treatment, side effects, wellbeing and accessing other services.
Our Specialist Pharmacists support you with medicines, including antiretroviral therapy. They help ensure your treatment is safe and effective, explain how medications work and offer advice about managing other medications you may be taking.
HIV Care Co-ordinator
The HIV Care Co-ordinator works alongside the clinical team to support your care. They help to organise your appointments to ensure that you are able to access the service when needed.
CLINICAL HOURS
People living with HIV can access care in Dorset from:
Sexual Health Dorset East Hub - Bournemouth
66-68 Palmerston Road, Bournemouth, BH1 4HT
Clinic times: Mon, Tue, Wed - 8-11am bloods, 9am-12pm clinical review
Sexual Health Dorset West Hub - Weymouth
Weymouth Community Hospital, 3 Melcombe Avenue, Weymouth, DT4 7TB
Clinic times: Mon 9am-12pm
Please note, the HIV team are available outside of these clinical sessions to respond to queries within our advertised opening times.
OUTREACH TEAM
Our outreach service is delivered by a team of Clinical Nurse Specialists who support people living with HIV outside of the main clinic setting.
They can offer support in community locations, or where appropriate, in your home. The outreach team helps you stay engaged with care, manage your treatment and access wider services. This support is especially useful if attending the clinic is difficult for you or you need additional help.
TREATMENT
We offer a full range of HIV treatment. Most people take daily oral medication, but we understand that one size does not fit all. Our team will work with you to choose the treatment that suits your lifestyle, health needs and preferences.
Injectable HIV Treatment
We are able to offer long-acting injectable treatment for people who are suitable for this option. These injections are given every one or two months and may be helpful if taking tablets is challenging or if you prefer a non-daily approach.
Useful treatment links:
- The Liverpool Drug Interaction tool is a helpful resource that can help to identify any interactions between your HIV medicine and other tablets. The tool can be accessed for free from: https://
www. hiv-druginteractions.org/ checker
PRESCRIPTIONS
People living with HIV can receive their medications in two ways:
- Collection from a local boots store- your clinician will be able to advise you on availability.
- A home delivery service, provided by Sciensus. For any support regarding an undelivered prescription, please contact the Sciensus customer service team on 0333 103 9499. The Sciensus intouch app can also be downloaded from either the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) to help with tracking your delivery.
Please note, that HIV medication is not available directly at the clinic. Please ensure you allow enough time (approx. four working days) to request a repeat prescription if you are due to run out before your next appointment.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR VISIT
Generally patients are seen at the clinic every six-nine months.
If you are newly diagnosed with HIV, the HIV care co-ordinator alongside the clinical specialists will arrange your first appointment to the clinic. We talk to you about your diagnosis, undertake additional blood tests, offer you support in preparation for your first appointment with the consultant.
If you are transferring your care from another service, the HIV care co-ordinator will book you in for a blood and induction. You will be asked to provide details of the clinic that you last attended, so that we can contact them for a summary letter. We will undertake blood tests, review your supply of medication and arrange your future appointments.
At your appointment you will be asked some lifestyle questions about your emotional wellbeing, sexual health, alcohol and drug use. You will also be invited to have your blood pressure, height and weight checked in addition to other health assessment questionnaires where relevant.
EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
We recognise that despite significant advances in HIV treatment, living with HIV can impact on a persons emotional health and wellbeing. The following guide outlines a range of support services available.
"Psychological health and wellbeing are key components of health and quality of life for everyone.”
We recognise despite significant medical advances in HIV treatment, living with HIV can impact on a person’s emotional health and wellbeing.
Psychological support can help people with the emotional challenges of living with HIV, such as stigma, discrimination, and the fear of transmission.
Support groups and counselling can provide a safe space for sharing experiences, reducing feelings of isolation, and help to create a sense of community.
Having psychological support available for people living with HIV can help to improve mental and physical health, enhance engagement with HIV care, leading to better health outcomes and wellbeing.
This booklet contains information about organisations providing specialist support for individuals living with HIV, as well as services that focus on emotional wellbeing.
Also included are details on opportunities to advocate for the health and wellbeing needs of people who use our service.
Peer Support
My Community
My Community is a private and confidential online space for people living with HIV. The platform is moderated by a team of trained volunteers based throughout the UK and supported by staff at the Terrence Higgins Trust.
- Members can share personal experiences of living with HIV.
- Members can ask questions and seek advice from peers about living with HIV.
- The forum offers peer support and community, helping individuals to feel less alone.
- It serves as a resource for reliable information about HIV including diagnosis, treatments and managing multiple health conditions.
- Members can promote and sign up to events and opportunities across the UK.
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How can I Use My Community?
My Community is available via an app downloaded to a smart phone or via a web browser. Here you will find activity feeds with posts, videos and links, live chat, personal profiles and dedicated spaces to different topics and themes.
Who is My Community for?
My community is available to anyone in the UK living with HIV. Members are from diverse backgrounds and have varied experience and expertise in navigating living with HIV. A variety of peer support groups and peer learning workshops are available to support people living with HIV including:
- Work and skills for personal development
- Before 96, for people diagnosed before or around 1996
- Common Bond, a group for women living with HIV
- Before 96 and beyond, a group for all people living with HIV
Plushealth
Online peer support is a confidential free service to anyone over the age of 16 living with or affected by HIV. The service is available across the UK and to British Nationals living or working outside the UK.
Online appointments can be delivered using text, voice or video calls using a range of platforms including WhatsApp, Zoom, Teams and Skype.
Appointments typically last 50 minutes, the patient will always work with the same peer supporter volunteer who will always use a private space to ensure that conversations remain confidential.
https://
Register and book appointments:
Registration is in two parts. The first is a short questionnaire which will help to provide insights into the support required. An email address, mobile number and username is required as part of the registration process.
On completion of the questionnaire patients will be directed to the second part of the registration process, where they can book their first appointment and then set up a password protected account.
4M Network
4M is a unique peer-led programme led by Black Migrant women who provide psycho-social support for women in their pregnancy journey and beyond.
For women living with HIV and looking for support, this peer-led organisation offers:
Tailored training workshops:
These include:
- The Pregnancy Journey when you are living with HIV
- Self-empowerment against stigma
- Looking after your mental wellbeing
Knowledge is power information webinars:
These cover a range of topics around:
- Treatment
- Wellbeing
- Maintaining a good quality of life
1-2-1 Support:
Trained Mentor Mothers can provide 1-2-1 support over the phone, via WhatsApp messaging and face-to-face where possible.
Group support:
Also known as date nights, group support is provided for one another in a safe and structured space. Part of the sessions are facilitated by a qualified psychologist.
To enable access to workshops, webinars and 1-2-1 support data bundles can be provided for women with low or no recourse to public funds.
Psychological Support
Access Wellbeing
Access Wellbeing offers person-centred support for anyone aged 18 or over, providing early help around mental health, financial matters, work or concerns about housing or benefits.
Access Wellbeing has launched three wellbeing hubs in Boscombe, Poole and Weymouth where patients can drop-in and access support from trained wellbeing co-ordinators.
ww.dorsetaccesswellbeing.co.uk
Boscombe 3-5 Palmerston Road, Bournemouth, BH1 4NH – Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm
Poole The Dolphin Centre, Poole, BH15 1SZ – Mon-Fri 9.30am-12pm, 1-4pm
Weymouth & Portland Hope House, 2 Dorchester Road, Weymouth, DT4 7JS
Steps2Wellbeing
Steps2Wellbeing is for adults aged 18 and over who are registered with a GP in Dorset or Southampton. The free service offers a range of talking therapies including counselling, online courses, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and guided self-help to support people with common mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Referrals
Self-referral
Digital assistant – Wysa, the smart digital assistant, will guide you through some questions, it’s quick, confidential and the fastest way to access support. Wysa
Online form – Enter your details on our online form. STW will then be in touch to arrange an assessment. Referral Form
By phone – You can call STW during office hours to start your referral:
Dorset: 0800 484 0500
Southampton: 02380 272 000
Healthcare professionals
Online form – Enter the patient’s details on an online form. Referral Form
The Retreat
The Retreat is open to anyone aged 18 or over who self-defines as in crises or wants to avoid a crisis occurring. It is also open to carers and supporters and offers a comfortable place to talk to someone who could help make you feel more in control and support you to identify tools and strategies that you may find helpful for managing your distress.
Options include:
- Talking to a peer specialist in a café style area
- Taking some time out in a relaxing low stimulus environment
- Accessing support with a Mental Health Practitioner
For everyone’s safety access will be refused:
- If medical attention is required beyond basic first aid / wound care
- To those intoxicated by alcohol or substances
- To those displaying threatening or physically aggressive behaviour
- To anyone aged under the age of 18.
Visiting the retreat:
- Bournemouth – Hahnemann House, Hahnemann Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5JW, everyday 4.30-11.30pm
- Dorchester – 30 Maiden Castle Road, Dorchester, DT1 2ER, Friday-Wednesday 4.30-11.30pm
If possible, try and arrive before 11pm to get the most out of your visit. There is no need to make an appointment or phone ahead, you can just turn up. Come to the front door within opening hours and ring the doorbell.
Connection
Connection is a round-the-clock helpline for people of all ages, anywhere in Dorset, who are experiencing mental health problems and need support.
The service offers free 24/7 telephone access to mental health advice and support as part of Access Mental Health.
You do not need to be known by our services and can also phone for support and advice about a friend or family member experiencing poor mental health. Connection can also be accessed via NHS 111.
Staff are trained to support anyone who calls, regardless of the level of mental health crisis, and can signpost you to the most appropriate service which meets your needs.
0800 652 0190
Terrence Higgins Trust
Online counselling is available from Terrence Higgins Trust for people living in the UK aged 18 or over. These sessions can help with:
- Dealing with an HIV diagnosis
- Sex and relationships
- Drugs and alcohol
- Chemsex
- Gender identity / sexual orientation
- Life changes and transitions
- Difficult emotions and loss of self-esteem
- Grief and loss
The cost of counselling sessions is £90. For people living with HIV, the cost of counselling sessions is determined by your annual income:
- If you earn £50,000 or more per year, you will be charged £90 per session
- If you earn £40,000 or more per year, you will be charged £70 per session
- If you earn £30,000 to £39,999, you will be charged £60 per session
- If you earn below £30,000, you’ll be charged £50 per session
Terrence Higgins Trust can provide up to 12 free sessions per person per year for people who are living with HIV and on a low income. These free sessions are paid for from charitable funds and are available to those in genuine need.
People can sign up for counselling via the Terrence Higgins Trust Client portal at:
https://
Any queries can be sent via e-mail to counselling
NAZ
NAZ provides counselling and psychotherapy to adult individuals and couples from global majority populations and their partners living in the UK, providing support for the complexities arising due to their identities be it ethnic, gender, sexual or relational.
Low-cost sessions are offered to people impacted and concerned about:
- Isolation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bereavement
- Loss of family relationships
- Coming out
- Gender identity
- Internalised homophobia
- Self-harm
- Childhood sexual abuse
- Victims of intimate partner violence
- Victims of homophobic hate crime
- Sexual assault
- Forced marriage
For enquiries contact: Sanjay Kumar, counselling services manager at sanjay
To sign up, access the online client portal at: Counselling - Sign Up
RESEARCH AND AUDIT
We are committed to improving the care we provide. Our service takes part in research studies and clinical audits to understand what is working well and where we can enhance our services.
We regularly run our own patient surveys so you can tell us about your experience. Your feedback helps shape how we develop and deliver care, ensuring our service continues to meet the needs of people living with HIV.
REFERRALS
Healthcare professionals can refer into our HIV service by emailing:
dhc.
dhc.
If you are a patient and would like to refer yourself into the service, then you can either email us using the same information or contact us by phone using the details provided below.
CONTACT US
If you are living with HIV and need advice, support or want to make an appointment, please contact us:
We are here to help you get the care you need, in a way that works for you.
Useful links:
- AIDSMAP: Provides independent, accurate and accessible information about HIV aidsmap | aidsmap
- i-base: timely information about HIV treatment and related issues HIV i-Base
- Terrence Higgins Trust: Support, information and advice for people living with HIV Homepage | Terrence Higgins Trust
