Living with HIV

Our dedicated admin team are on hand to support patients with:

• Self referring to our service
• Making and cancelling appointments
• Raising medication queries
• Any other concerns

You can contact us Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm by calling 01904 725423 

Professionals

If you are a health professional referring a patient to us, you can call 01904 725423 or you can email us securely on yhs-tr.specialistservice@nhs.net 

Please have the following information to hand

• Full name
• Address
• Date of Birth
• Contact number
• Preferred method of contact.
• It is also helpful to have a list of medications, the quantity they have remaining, and details of any allergies. 

Testing and Reviews

All patients will be reviewed based on the national standards and their clinical needs following diagnosis and starting of ART (Antiretroviral Therapy). This will include a minimum of a six month and annual review appointment. You will have more appointments if you are newly diagnosed. 

The six month review will include:

• blood taking
• offer of a sexual health screen
• health review.

The annual review includes assessment and discussion related to your:

• Cardiovascular health
• Bone health
• Renal health
• Sexual and reproductive health and psychosexual wellbeing
• Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing
• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and non-ART management
• Preventative medicine
• Monitoring of comorbidities
• Neurocognitive impairment

If you are living with HIV, have a cervix, and are over the age of 25, we recommend that you have a cervical screening (smear test) once a year. We will offer this to you at your appointment. You will also be offered asymptomatic STI screening. 

Telling your GP that you have HIV

You don't have to tell your GP that you have HIV - it's your decision. However, it can help them provide the most appropriate treatment and care for you if you do. If you are taking HIV treatment, it’s important to consider potentially harmful interactions with other medications, so knowing that you are living with HIV will enable your GP to look out for signs and symptoms of illnesses or side-effects. Remember that your GP is a healthcare professional, and your records are confidential.

Your Sexual Health

You can proactively take care of your sexual health.

If you would like a sexual health screening, whether you have symptoms of an STI or not, click here for more information.

If you do not have an undetectable viral load, your sexual contacts might want to consider PrEP. PrEP is a pill that can prevent HIV transmission if taken correctly. For more information, click here.

We can also offer vaccinations for HPV, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B to most at risk groups. For more information and eligibility, click here. 

If you would like to find out more about your contraception options, click here.

Who will be involved?

The HIV team is made up with different professionals who all have an important role to play in your care. 

Consultants / Registrars: You will see a consultant or a registrar if you are newly diagnosed, if your care is complex, or you have other health conditions as well as HIV. They will see you for your consultations at the clinic, prescribe your treatment and arrange any follow up care or tests.

Advanced Nurse Specialists (ANS): You will see an ANS at some of your appointments in the clinic. They will carry out your consultation, and may prescribe your treatment as well as arranging for your blood tests which will take place at the same appointment.

Pharmacist: We have a specialist pharmacist within the team who may contact you to discuss your medication. They may also prescribe your treatment.

Admin: We have our own admin support that has a direct phone line. Any appointment queries should be directly to that number. If you are transferring your care to us from another area, they will liaise with you regarding details of your previous care provider.

Wellbeing & Support Team: Your clinical team will discuss the wellbeing & support team with you during your consultation. The team may contact you following your first clinic appointment for an introduction. They will keep in touch through the first few weeks of your care and complete an informal assessment to best see how they can provide support to you and your family or friends if needed. The team also arrange virtual and face to face support sessions.

Clinical Psychologist: We can refer you to our expert Psychologist. They can support you with adjusting to your new diagnosis and work with issues such as stress; grief; trauma; complex issues; abuse; phobias; and fears.

Good to Know

Appointments: If you need to change an appointment, please give us at least 24 hours’ notice. That allows the appointment to be used by someone else if needed.

Medication: You can decide if you wish your medication to be delivered to your home or for you to collect from the clinic. If you are running low on medication please contact us giving us a least 2 weeks’ notice before you run out. We need time to arrange a prescription and delivery.

Letters: We can provide a letter for travel purposes to explain that you need to carry your medication with you. Please give us 2 weeks’ notice.

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YorSexualHealth runs a free and confidential support service for people living with HIV and their partners and carers in York and North Yorkshire.