Through a partnership between Positively UK, Plushealth, Sophia Forum, NAZ Project, and the Chelsea & Westminster and North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trusts, peer support has been successfully integrated into HIV services across both hospitals. By combining lived experience with clinical expertise, the initiative is improving patient wellbeing, reducing stigma, and boosting engagement in HIV care – setting a model for joined-up, person-centred support across London.
1. What challenge were we trying to solve?
Living with HIV can come with challenges that go beyond physical health. Many people experience self-stigma, isolation, and anxiety about their diagnosis – all of which can affect wellbeing and engagement in care.
This project set out to change that by making peer support – support from someone who also lives with HIV – a routine part of HIV care at Chelsea & Westminster and North Middlesex Hospitals.
Our goal was to:
- Help people living with HIV feel less alone and more confident.
- Improve overall wellbeing and quality of life.
- Increase engagement with care and adherence to treatment.
- Make peer support available to everyone newly diagnosed or re-engaging in care.
We also wanted to ensure that both patients and clinical teams understood the value of peer support, and that referrals were simple, consistent and timely.
2. What did we do?
We created a seamless system to integrate peer support into everyday care at both hospitals.
How it works:
- Peer support services were built directly into each hospital’s electronic patient record (EPR) systems – Cerner at Chelsea & Westminster and Climate/Careflow at North Middlesex – so referrals can be made quickly and consistently.
- Clinic staff were trained on how and when to refer patients, and on the benefits of peer support for people living with HIV.
- A new Wellbeing Assessment was introduced to track how peer support affects patients’ mental and emotional health over time.
- Everyone newly diagnosed with HIV is now automatically offered peer support through an opt-out referral system, ensuring no one misses out.
- Additional peer support workers were recruited to maintain coverage and continuity, even during staffing changes.
Together, these changes are helping make peer support a reliable, recognised part of HIV care.
3. What impact have we seen so far?
- Despite some short-term service gaps due to team changes, referrals and engagement are steadily increasing across both sites.
- Access to NHS email and honorary contracts has also improved communication and data sharing, helping peer support workers become a more integrated part of clinical teams.
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital:
- 126 people received peer support in the most recent quarter — up from 92 previously.
- 45 of 76 newly diagnosed patients (59%) engaged with peer support between April and December 2024.
North Middlesex Hospital:
- 19 people received peer support in the last quarter, including 5 newly diagnosed patients referred directly from clinic.
4. Why this matters
Peer support helps people living with HIV feel seen, supported and empowered. By embedding lived experience into routine HIV care, these hospitals are improving wellbeing, reducing stigma, and strengthening the link between patients and their care teams.
This project shows how collaboration – between community organisations and NHS trusts – can make HIV services more compassionate, effective and person-centred.