FRONTLINE HIV Forum Meeting May 2010

FRONTLINE HIV Forum Meetings:

Members: General Members Forum held at The Kobler Clinic, 4th Floor

Date: 4th May 2010
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Attendees: 6
Apologies: 4

UPDATE ON NEW BUILD
As the new building abuts the old building, the old fire exit in the Kobler Clinic will be blocked off and the new fire exit will be moved to where the old entrance was opposite Accident and Emergency. During the build noise and dust levels are to be kept to a minimum. Some light loss will occur due to work, but to rectify this it is proposed to use special day light bulbs and perhaps some painting to brighten the atmosphere, whilst also carrying out some other minor repairs.

A new screen displaying numbers awaiting phlebotomy and pharmacy will be placed above the tea bar which should make it possible to see from all waiting areas.

In the main hospital itself some changes will occur. Outpatients department is to move to the basement, accessed by two new escalators. This is because the first floor has to close for refurbishment. Many administration posts are to move to new sites. This work will lead to a big improvement in paediatric services.
Accident and Emergency will remain where it is.

Architects have put together new scale plans (next stage drawings) showing where power points and equipment will be situated. In the negative pressure rooms it will be possible to see out of the window into the atrium, but it will not be possible for people in the atrium to see into those rooms.

Within these rooms it will be possible with the use of folding beds for partners to stay over. There will be a quiet room where consultation with partners and families will be possible. The overall planned effect of the new facility is to make it feel like a hotel. Be aware that in the interim storage space will be very limited and that nurses will be busy moving materials around.

AGEING PROJECT
UKCRN (United Kingdom Clinical Research Network) approval for study has led to more work required than was previously envisioned.

The application to IRAS (Integrated Research Application System) for ethical approval requires further work before admission.

The qualitative study is completed, however it may be removed if there is a change in emphasis, which may occur if in order to make the study less biased more women and heterosexuals are included.

The project lead met with Professor Karpiak of ACRIA (Aids Community Research Initiative of America) whilst he was here speaking at the Ageing with HIV conference at Staffordshire University to keep him informed of developments.

AOB
Concern was expressed for the future regarding the Aids Support Grant for which funding is not ring-fenced after 2011. It was agreed that all HIV organisations should define a strategy on how to apply pressure to local councils to ensure that funding is not cut drastically in terms of expenditure after 2011, which may have adverse implications for said organisations.

It was asked if we had a means of asking questions regarding patient dialogue, experience, and satisfaction. Further research on this matter is required.

The next meeting of the KVN Forum will be held at:
The Kobler Clinic
4th Floor,
St Stephens Centre
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

6:00pm to 8:00pm
On Tuesday 1st June

Refreshments provided

Please forward all points/suggestions for next meeting to the online forum, or directly to Christian at chair@frontlinehiv.net and the Agenda will be posted to the online Forum, with any additional points added to it as they are sent in.

Future Meetings:

• Tuesday 6th July
• Tuesday 3rd August
• Tuesday 7th September