Information on HIV, AIDS and sexual health (pdf, 777kb)
If you have questions about HIV, social care or sexual health and you live in Newcastle, please contact us, or you can contact the health service.
HIV is among a number of sexually transmitted or blood borne infections. We want to listen and talk to you about how you can live more comfortably, safely and independently. If you look after a child, relative or ill partner or if you are a carer, we can possibly offer you some support.
How can we help?
Living with HIV, you will want to remain fit and well. If you are tired or feeling unwell, you may need some day-to-day personal or practical help. Our services are adaptable and sensitive to changing circumstances.
If you contact us, we will explain how we will record your personal information and keep it confidential. Our HIV and sexual health services include:
How can you apply for help?
You, a partner, friend or relative can contact us for service information with your agreement. We will talk about your needs. Most people are given our telephone numbers when they learn they are HIV positive and contact us directly.
When you first find out you are HIV positive, we can arrange for you to meet an HIV specialist social worker. We aim to respond to your general enquiries within 72 hours and to work out what you need within 28 days. To do this, we may need to contact your doctors and other services, with your agreement.
What is an assessment?
We would like to hear how you manage living with HIV and how it affects your day-to-day activities. We can meet you at home, hospital or where you choose. You can bring a partner or friend with you.
If you have any personal or practical difficulties, we can see if we can help you. Partners, family or friends who give you substantial, planned care can ask for an assessment of what they need.
What happens after your assessment?
We will agree your care plan with you. This will set out what we can do to help you and how we will do it. This may include Direct Payments that allow you to organise and buy your own services. If you don’t want a copy of your care plan at home, we can keep copies on our files where you can read them at any time. We will regularly look at your care plan and will try to keep in contact with you when you attend hospital appointments or as you wish.
What if you don’t qualify for any services?
There may be times when we cannot help you. Wherever possible we will put you in touch with other organisations that can help.
Will you be charged for services?
We will give you up to date information about our charges. We do not charge for an assessment or advice and support including counselling and Welfare Rights. If you need any alterations or adaptations to your home, we will talk to you about any charges before any work is agreed and starts.
Who can you contact to get help?
Adult Services contact points:
HIV and Sexual Health Services, Shine Project ,
MESMAC North East, 3rd Floor, 11 Nelson Street, Newcastle, NE1 5AN
Phone: 0191 277 2048
Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP.
Phone: 0191 282 5329 - ask for an HIV social worker
Phone: 0191 282 0190 - Welfare Rights
Other organisations:
Body Positive North East (HIV voluntary sector)
Phone: 0191 232 2855
Fax: 0191 232 6222
Blue Sky Trust (HIV voluntary Sector)
Phone: 01912815200
email: info@blueskytrust.org
Website: www.blueskytrust.org
Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Ward 19, Royal Victoria Infirmary Phone: 0191 233 6161 extension 23106
Genito Urinary Medicine Clinic, New Croft Centre,
Phone: 0191 229 2999
MESMAC North East
Newcastle Social Services Directorate. Sexual health information for gay and bisexual men, including gay men who have HIV.
Phone: 0191 233 1333
Fax: 0191 233 1551
NHS Direct
Phone: 0845 45 46 47
Page last updated: 15 May, 2013
