What is HIV/AIDS?

What to do if you think you have HIV or AIDS

Getting in touch with a HIV Social Care Worker

Financial help with HIV/AIDS

Children with HIV or AIDS

Further Information

What is HIV / AIDS?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and is a virus that can damage the body's defence system so that it cannot fight off certain infections. If someone with HIV goes on to get certain serious illnesses, this condition is called AIDS which stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

Signs and Symptoms

Most people with HIV look and feel healthy for a long time, so you can't tell who has the virus just by looking at them.

How do you get it?

There are four main ways in which HIV can be passed on:

• By having vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom with someone who has HIV.
• By using needles, syringes or other drug-injecting equipment that is infected with HIV.
• From a woman with HIV to her baby (before or during birth) and by breastfeeding.
• By receiving infected blood, blood products or donated organs as part of medical treatment. In the UK all blood, blood products and donated organs are screened for HIV and infected materials are destroyed. This may not be the case in some developing countries and in Eastern Europe.

You cannot get HIV through:

• Kissing, touching, hugging, shaking hands
• Sharing crockery and cutlery
• Coughing or sneezing
• Contact with toilet seats
• Insect or animal bites
• Eating food prepared by someone with HIV.

What to do if you think you have HIV or AIDS

If you think you have been at risk you can contact your nearest GUM Clinic;

The GUM (Genitory Urinary medicine) in Derby is called the William Donald Clinic. It is located at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary at the Osmaston Road entrance.

William Donald Clinic
Derby Royal Infirmary
Derby
Derbyshire
DE1 2QY
Telephone: 01332 254 681

You can also contact us by using the online form at the foot of this page.

Getting in touch with a HIV Social Care Worker

You can contact the HIV social worker/care manager by telephone or in writing. If the worker is not available you can leave a message or ask to speak to the duty officer.

Aaron Daley (Service Manager)
Becci Moore (Senior Practitioner/HIV social worker)
Derbyshire Royal Infirmary Social Services Department
Derbyshire Royal Infirmary
London Road
Derby
DE1 2QY

Telephone 01332 347141 extension 2315

You can also contact us by using the online form at the foot of this page.

The Social Services Team provide the following services:

• We work with people directly affected by HIV, their partners, career and family members in the Derby area.
• We work in partnership with health agencies and voluntary organizations to provide help and support with many aspects of your illness.
• We offer a non-judgmental confidential service.
• We offer a service to any HIV+ adult and do not discriminate on the grounds of sex, race, colour, sexuality, ethnic origin, religion, marital status, disability, lifestyle or immigration status.
• We can offer support claiming benefits or help getting back into work or education.
• Support in managing the emotional issues relating to HIV
• Support in practical matters such as aids and adaptations or the provision of carers to help with personal care for those who need it.
• Assistance in managing issues in relation to asylum/immigration.
• Help you to make contact or work with other relevant agencies.

Financial help with HIV/AIDS

The Flexicare Budget is a fund which can be accessed by persons who are HIV positive, who meet the criteria and live in the Derby City area. HIV positive status will need to be confirmed by the HIV nurse/consultant. The aim of the budget is to enable people to remain in their own homes. A full copy of the policy and application form can be accessed following self-referrals or a representative contacting Becci Moore HIV social worker in the first instance, or Aaron Daley service manager.

Children with HIV or AIDS

Children may be HIV positive, or have parents who are.

Social Services and a number of voluntary organisations work with families where a member is HIV positive to deal with any immediate problems, and to help the family plan for the long term care of children.

For further information please telephone 01332 347141 extension 2315.

Voluntary Groups and Organistations for children, or families of children with HIV/AIDS 

• Barnardo's - Barnardo's Planning Scheme offers parents who are HIV positive or living with other life threatening illnesses the opportunity to plan for their children's future care, exploring options such as fostering, care by friends and relatives or adoption and giving high priority to the wishes of the child.
• Children with AIDS Charity - Assists children and their families to lead as near normal a life as possible.
• Grandma's - A church based organisation which aims to provide practical help to children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. You can email them at headoffice@grandmas.org.uk.

Further Information

Locally there are organisations that can also assist:

• Derby Homes HIV tenancy support service - A Tenancy Support Team Specialist HIV officer will visit your home to meet with you and find out more about you. Together you will both agree what type of support would meet your needs. The Support Worker will then visit you regularly to work through your support plan. For more information contact 01332 711 067 or 0777 616 3099.
• Derbyshire Positive Support - HIV Awareness and Care in Derbyshire DPS is a charitable organisation which exists to provide emotional and practical support to people living with HIV and their families and carers. We cover Derby and the entire county of Derbyshire. For further information or to make a referral call DPS on 01332 204020.

Nationwide help is also available:

• AHPN - Empowering and addressing issues about HIV for the African communities.
• BHAN - 0181 749 2828 - An organisation for African, Asian and Caribbean or Asian descent.
• Black Health Agency - The BHA is a charity dedicated to improving the lives and changing the futures of Black and Minority Ethnic and other marginalised communities.
• Blackliners - 0171 738 7468 - A counselling, care and support service for people affected by HIV/AIDS who are of African, Asian and Caribbean or Asian descent.
• Body and Soul Charity - Family based organisation supporting families, children and teenagers living with HIV.
• Children in Distress - Children in Distress supports children of Eastern Europe.
• International AIDS & Medical Research Charity - Telephone: 01403 210 202.
• National AIDS Helpline - A free, confidential 24 hour helpline for information on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Freephone: 0800 567 123. Minicom - hard of hearing 10am-10pm daily 0800 521361; Bengali, Guajarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, and English Wed 6pm-10pm 0800 282 445; Cantonese, Mandarin and English Tue 6pm-10pm 0800 282 446; Arabic and English Wed 6pm-10pm 0800 282 447.
• The National AIDS Trust (NAT) - the UK's leading HIV and AIDS policy development and campaigning organization.
• The NAZ Project - 0181 563 0205 - Provides sexual health and HIV prevention and support services to south Asian, middle eastern, and African communities (London based).
• Positively Women - 0171 490 2327 - Advice and support for women who are or may be HIV positive. Ansaphone Purely Positive 023 80 634288 (ext 2378).
• Terrence Higgins Trust - National Helpline: 020 7242 1010. Open 12-10pm. 7 days a week. Offers support to people living with HIV. Provides direct services, face-to-face support and information.