Among the charities involved in the street collection are Terrence Higgins Trust Lighthouse, Ugandan AIDS Action Fund, HIV Response Project, Griffin Project, Mildmay, National AIDS Trust , The Globe Centre, Landmark, Positive Place and The Junction. This means that too many people struggle to access the advice and information support they need or that their local authority has paid for. The situation is unsustainable and unless action is taken, post code rationing will result. The model is based on a three pronged approach. It would offer basic information and advice by telephone or email and would aim to enable people living with HIV to address their initial concerns and, where necessary, find out more through the written resources and materials provided by the service.
Regional centres form the basis of the second approach.
The service would be commissioned by local authorities and based on local needs. Depending on the level of contracted service, people living with HIV will be able to access casework advice at a time and location convenient to them, including via home and hospital visits. With this consultation process we want to gather the views and opinions of as many people affected by HIV as possible. Change is vital, but at THTL we want to make sure that any change really does meet the needs of the people we are here to serve,' concluded Andrew Ridley. The consultation period lasts until Monday 13 November.