Terrence Higgins Trust And Summit House Support Launch Centre For People With HIV In Sandwell, UK

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 27 May 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust is teaming up with local HIV support service Summit House Support to launch Sandwell's first ever centre for people living with HIV. The new centre will be opened by Heart FM broadcaster Steve Denyer at 12.00pm on Wednesday 3 June.

Commissioned by Sandwell Primary Care Trust, Sandwell MBC and Sandwell Supporting People, the new centre will provide a welcoming space for the increasing numbers of people living with HIV in the region. Trained staff from THT and Summit House Support will offer counselling to people affected by HIV, information and advice on HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and provide local professionals with training around HIV/AIDS awareness.

HIV remains the UK's fastest growing serious health condition. The most recent figures from the Health Protection Agency show that, in 2007, 536 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the West Midlands area. In 2007, 3,267 people needed HIV care in the region, an 11% increase on 2006.

Jane Morel, Regional Manager for THT in the Midlands, said: "Until now, people with HIV in Sandwell have had to travel to our centres in Birmingham or Wolverhampton to access services. It's great that by forming this partnership with Summit House Support, they can now find the support they need right on their doorstep."

Suzanne Callen, Chief Executive for Summit House Support, said: "The new centre is smart, comfortable and accessible, and combines the best services from both organisations. THT and Summit House Support will operate independently within the building, but we will continue to work closely together to develop HIV services in Sandwell."

The address of the new centre is 1st Floor, Victoria House, High Street, West Bromwich B70 8EN. The telephone number for THT in Sandwell is (0121) 270 0755. The telephone number for Summit House Support is (0121) 270 0756.

Notes

Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity with centres across England, Scotland and Wales. We're here to provide information and advice about HIV and sexual health and offer a range of services including sexual health checks, counselling and support groups. We campaign for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives, free from prejudice and discrimination and we promote good sexual health as a right and reality for all.

1. Summit House works in partnership in Dudley and Sandwell to deliver professional, accessible, confidential support to people living with and affected by HIV in the community. We work to reduce the incidence of HIV transmission and decrease stigma and discrimination by increasing HIV awareness amongst the whole community. We provide a wide range of holistic support for people infected and affected, as well as community based HIV testing, Gay Men's Project, HIV Awareness training for Dudley and Sandwell council workers and health/voluntary/community sector in Sandwell. Summit house is funded by Dudley and Sandwell PCT/MBC/Supporting people and the Big Lottery.

Source
Terrence Higgins Trust