Case Study: In-Clinic Peer Support for HIV Clinics at ChelWest and North Middlesex Hospitals
Positively UK, Plushealth Sophia Forum, NAZ Project, ChelWest & North Middlesex Hospital Trusts
1. What problem are we trying to solve or what is the aim?
The aim of this initiative is to provide consistent and effective peer support to individuals living with HIV at ChelWest and North Middlesex Hospitals. The goal is to reduce HIV-related self-stigma, increase overall wellbeing, and enhance engagement with HIV care by ensuring that 90-100% of patients referred for peer support experience a reduction in stigma and an improvement in their quality of life. The program also seeks to increase referrals and uptake of peer support services, particularly through standardized referral pathways and improved understanding of peer support’s benefits among both clinical staff and patients.
2. What did we do?
A system was implemented to ensure timely and effective referrals to peer support (PS) services. The program integrated peer support into both Cerner (for ChelWest) and Climate/Careflow (for North Middlesex) electronic health record systems. Staff were trained to ensure accurate and consistent referrals, and a standardized Wellbeing Assessment is being introduced across both Trusts to track the impact of peer support on patients’ wellbeing. New HIV diagnoses were systematically offered peer support via opt-out referrals, with peer support workers aiming to contact and assess referrals within one week.
Key actions included:
- Ongoing staff education about the importance and benefits of peer support.
- Integration of wellbeing assessments within the clinic’s EPR systems to monitor outcomes.
- Hiring additional peer support workers and ensuring clinic coverage despite team changes.
3. What outcome have we achieved so far?
- ChelWest: 126 patients were contacted and supported in the last quarter, a significant increase from 92 in the previous quarter. Additionally, 45 out of 76 newly diagnosed patients (59%) engaged with peer support from April to December 2024.
- North Middlesex: 19 patients were seen in the last quarter, with 5 new referrals for newly diagnosed patients.
- Referral and uptake trends: Despite some service gaps in October due to staff changes, there has been an upward trend in referrals and uptake of peer support across both sites. This is supported by the integration of NHS emails and honorary contracts for staff, which allowed better access to Cerner and Climate systems.