Garry Brough presenting at the NHIVA Conference
The Fast Track Cities London team headed up to Liverpool earlier this month for the 26th National HIV Nurses Association Conference, which took place from 10-12 June. Garry Brough, Fast Track Cities London’s Getting to Zero Programme Manager, presented on our work to integrate peer support into London HIV clinics, highlighting the benefits to people living with HIV of providing in-house support and a link to external voluntary sector services. Our hope is that raising awareness of the programme nationally will increase momentum for other services to prioritise integration of peer support workers into clinics.
Garry presented alongside colleagues from both Metro Charity and the HIV Confident Charter. Jaime Sylla, Metro Charity Project Lead, talked about the success of the peer support approach within clinics in terms of re-engaging people in care, with 85 per cent of those supported achieving an undetectable viral load.
Finally, Daron Oram, HIV Confident Charter Programme Manager, shared how the Charter provides training and resources to reduce HIV-related stigma in services (including but not limited to healthcare), showcasing yet another successful project in action.