Saturday 13th May 2006 An information event for patients with HIV from across London was held for the first time St Mary's.
The event, organised by the Wharfside Patients' Forum and the Bloomsbury Patient Network covered sensitive issues for patients living with HIV, including accessing GP services, and how to disclose HIV status.
Feedback for the event, held on May 13 and attended by more than 30 patients was overwhelmingly positive. Speakers included Dr Richard Ma from Islington Primary Care Trust, and Edith Kaggwa from the UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and AIDS.
Jointly funded by St Mary’s Charitable Trust and the Bloomsbury Clinic, one of the event organisers Martin Schwarz, co-chair of the Wharfside Patients' Forum, said the day proved to be a success for all involved. "People with HIV and AIDS encounter prejudice and resentment on a daily basis. HIV phobia is still commonplace even in the medical profession. This event helped people to share their experiences and learn how to tackle sensitive subjects like disclosure. It also proved the need for peer-support. Seeing people talking about their issues, problems and fears is very encouraging. We also made history by working together with other Patients' Fora. Not only fellow patients from our clinic but also Bloomsbury, Chelsea & Westminster and others participated. This might be the first step to future London-wide patient co-operation."