Equal treatment

Mark had been registered with his local dental practice for five years. On one visit, for a tooth extraction, he was asked if he was using any medication and told the dentist about his HIV treatments. The dentist told him, in no uncertain terms, that he could not and would not treat him. When asked why, the dentist said that he had to protect his other clients. The patient asked how this could happen if the dentist was sterilising equipment according to guidelines, but the dentist refused to answer and refused to pass the patient on to any other dentist although he was in considerable pain.

A recent study carried out at City University found that around 1 in 3 people living with HIV had experienced prejudice or discrimination related to their HIV status - half these said it had been at the hands of a medical professional, usually a GP or dentist. THT regularly intervenes to help people refused treatment or given second class health services because of their HIV status.

Most NHS staff give an excellent standard of care, but all primary care staff need to be given clear guidance, relevant to their profession, in how to respond appropriately to people with HIV. In particular all staff need to be aware of patient concerns about confidentiality and the reasons for this. Some, including dentists, need to be aware of their responsibilities under the Equality Act of 2010 around the provision of goods and services to stop them refusing services to those in need.

On a visit to her GP a member of THT staff was asked about her job. When she explained who she worked for, and offered to provide information/literature regarding THT and issues faced by people living with HIV, her doctor said. "No thank you, we don't get those sort of people here.?

GPs also have an important role to play in diagnosing people with HIV and providing them with ongoing care. It is essential that GPs feel confident about this rapidly changing area of medical science and the Department of Health, Wales NHS Directorate and NHS Scotland should provide regularly updated guidelines for GPs on best practice on issues including testing, referrals and information.

We need your help to ensure equitable and quality treatment for people living with HIV. Ask your MP to intervene.