A leading HIV and hepatitis C charity has launched a new learning hub to tackle HIV stigma in Scotland’s health and social care workforce – providing staff with accurate information and practical tools to help them deliver inclusive, stigma-free care.

Waverley Care, Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity, has launched HIV Informed, a new interactive online learning hub developed in partnership with NHS Scotland and people living with HIV.

The programme is funded by the Scottish government as part of the national commitment to end new HIV transmission and tackle stigma.

The UK Government’s 2022 Positive Voices Survey found many people living with HIV avoided accessing healthcare services due to concerns about their status, and 1 in 7 worried about being treated differently by staff.

People who spoke to Waverley Care said HIV stigma puts them off seeking the care or treatment they need.

Steven, who is living with HIV, said:

“I have felt the most judged in a healthcare setting at the dentist. They brought out a separate box with a biohazard sticker on it. It made me feel uncomfortable because I felt like I had to explain myself.”

Agnes, also living with HIV, added:

“Every time I go to the hospital, I have the fear of being judged. You get so nervous about what they are going to say. You start panicking. It’s very important to have a safe environment. If I feel judged, I might leave things out, and that’s the real danger of discrimination.”

Waverley Care believes a lack of knowledge and understanding about HIV can exacerbate stigma, lead to inappropriate infection control practices, and reduce engagement with health and social care services. Beyond its impact on people living with HIV, they say stigma is also a barrier to accessing HIV testing and prevention methods such as PrEP.

Grant Sugden, Chief Executive of Waverley Care, says it is clear that stigma and misinformation continue to affect the care and support people living with HIV receive:

“The only way to truly tackle this is through better education, ensuring that everyone working in health and social care has up-to-date knowledge about HIV today.

“Too many people still don’t realise that when someone is on effective treatment, HIV cannot be passed on. Outdated misconceptions continue to cause real harm and prevent people from seeking the care they need.

“On this World AIDS Day, we’re calling on health and social care professionals to take the time to learn, reflect, and challenge stigma by becoming ‘HIV Informed’. Together, we can create a Scotland where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and understanding.”

Scotland’s Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Jenni Minto MSP says she hopes all health and social care workers will use the hub:

“Behind every statistic about HIV is a person who deserves to be treated with kindness, respect and understanding.

“People living with HIV can have long and healthy lives. However, sadly, stigma still prevents too many people from feeling safe and supported when accessing health and social care.

“Tackling HIV stigma remains a vital part of our commitment to ensuring everyone can access compassionate, person-centred healthcare.

“The launch of HIV Informed is an important step forward. By equipping health and social care professionals with accurate, up-to-date information and real-life perspectives, we can help ensure that care is delivered with understanding, respect and without judgement.

HIV Informed went live today at: www.hiv-informed.scot

The new learning hub uses a range of interactive learning resources, including:

• short videos and real-life experiences of HIV today and the impact of stigma,
• quizzes and microlearning modules to test understanding,
• downloadable guides and quick-reference resources for workplace use,
• certificates of completion to support professional learning and development.

 

Read more: Aberdeen A&E first to offer routine HIV tests; Drug harms on the rise in Scotland; High hopes for Glasgow ‘origami’ Hep C test

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