NAT report highlights the necessity of access to adequate housing for people with HIV

A report released today by NAT (National AIDS Trust), in partnership with Shelter, reveals evidence of poor practice in housing provision for people living with HIV. HIV and Housing finds people living with HIV are struggling to cope with the impact of poor housing and many housing professionals have little understanding of HIV and remain unaware of the effect poor housing can have on the lives of people living with HIV. In some cases outright discrimination was identified.

NAT welcomes decline in HIV diagnoses - but cautions against complacency

The Health Protection Agency announced today that there were an estimated 7,370 new HIV
diagnoses in 2008 – a decline from 7,660 diagnoses in 2007.

New figures out today from the Health Protection Agency

New figures released today by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show there were 83,000 people living with HIV in the UK at the end of 2008. This is equivalent to over 1 in 1,000 people with HIV in the UK. Over a quarter (27 per cent) of people were estimated to be unaware of their HIV infection.

Next UK Government must sustain commitment to new prevention research

On International Women’s Day, NAT calls for the next Government to maintain UK leadership in developing new prevention technologies that will help women protect themselves from HIV.

The Equality Act is expected to receive Royal Assent tomorrow

NAT (National AIDS Trust) is today celebrating the completion of the Equality Bill’s journey through Parliament.  The Equality Act will introduce a number of improvements for people living with HIV when it comes into force in October 2010. 

NAT welcomes revised guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service

NAT warmly welcome the revision of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) guidance which states for the first time that people living with HIV should receive the same protection as other disabled victims of hate crime.  Until recently, it was unclear whether the definition of disability in the legislation that covers this area (the Criminal Justice Act 2003) included HIV. 

Decision to end ring-fence of the AIDS Support Grant means uncertain future for HIV social care services

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles’ surprise announcement in a written ministerial statement on 10 June that the AIDS Support Grant will no longer be ring-fenced in the current financial year has left the future of social care services for people living with HIV in question.

NAT reacts to the Emergency Budget

The Chancellor’s announcement today that Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will be reformed from 2013/14 is a serious cause for concern for people living with HIV. DLA is awarded to disabled people in recognition of the extra day-to-day costs they incur because of their disability. People already have to submit lengthy forms and medical evidence when applying for this benefit; measures to make it more difficult to qualify for this support may have a dramatic impact on the quality of life of some people living with HIV.

Services for people living with HIV are not meeting their psychological needs, says a new report by NAT (National AIDS Trust).

The report Psychological support for people living with HIV shows a lack of adequate psychological support can have a severe impact on someone's health and well-being.  NAT says more must be done to give support to people with psychological needs – at present these needs are too often overlooked because of a tendency for people to focus only on physical health.