Government must adopt joined-up approach to social exclusion of HIV sufferers

The government should tackle the social exclusion of people with
HIV by increasing joined up thinking across departments, a new
Terrence Higgins Trust report has urged, writes Anabel
Unity Sale.

‘Social exclusion and HIV’ says: “To break any cycle of HIV and
social exclusion people with HIV must be put before the separate
departmental and organisational agendas of government departments,
health authorities, social services and voluntary groups.

“The lack of joined up thinking by those in authority is a key
component in contributing to social exclusion,” it says.

The report, the first of its kind to make a direct link between
social exclusion and HIV, recommends the government establish a
cross-departmental working party to tackle social exclusion and
HIV.

It also suggests that health and social care professionals
receive information and training to ensure that they understand the
reality of living with HIV, and are able to respond appropriately
to people with HIV who use their services.

Nick Partridge, Terrence Higgins Trust chief executive, said:
“The report clearly illustrates the waste of human potential of
people with HIV, who have as great a contribution to make to
society as anyone else in the UK.”

He added: “This is not just a matter of health, but cuts across
many government departments, all of which need to take action to
stop this waste.”

‘Social exclusion and HIV’ from www.tht.org.uk or Jamie.Kinniburgh@tht.org.uk