This page is for general and dental practitioners, practice managers, social workers and anyone with responsibility for the health and social care of others.

With effective treatments available for HIV, the majority of people diagnosed with HIV in the UK now have a very good prognosis and long life expectancy. Nevertheless, people living with HIV still need to be able to access comprehensive health and social care to enable them to live well with HIV.

Many people will experience side effects from HIV medication and have health conditions relating to their HIV status. People also need support and information to help them come to terms with an HIV diagnosis and manage their condition effectively.

It's also important that when people living with HIV access health and social care they are treated fairly, supportively and with respect.

We've therefore produced HIV in Healthcare (2005); a resource for healthcare professionals including GPs, dentists and practice managers. It includes:

• Facts about HIV and AIDS
• Facts and myths about HIV transmission
• Information for GPs about anti-HIV treatments
• Advice about addressing HIV-related stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings
• Guidelines for dentists and GPs on the treatment of HIV-positive patients
• Advice about your duties as a service provider under the Disability Discrimination Act

Also provided are some practical aids such as a checklist to assess how well your organisation serves and treats people living with HIV and a list of helpful resources and contacts.