Moving to London from USA. Any advice on HIV care?

[lonbjny]

Hi,

Any advice from people? I am moving to London from New York this year. I am a UK citizen. I will be looking for an HIV clinic and doctor. I am not currently on medication. I have not lived in UK for 10 years and that was before I was diagnosed. I have little understanding of what state the NHS is in currently

I would appreciate any insight and advice on which clinics to attend, how to get the whole medical process started. Should I start by trying to find a GP or find an HIC  clinic first.

Any experience people can share would be of great help to me.

Thanks in advance to everybody

[Cliff]

HIV treatment in the UK is delivered through specialist HIV centres (most attached to GUM clinics).  In London there are several of these centres all over town.  You can attend any clinic you wish (as opposed to the one closest to you, like when registering for a GP) and you don't need a referral.  You probably won't even need to show proof of residency (I didn't).  You just need to phone them up and set up a new patient appointment, (taking any documents you may have from your previous doctor in NYC).  I actually forgot to get my medical records, so the clinic (with my approval), contacted my doctor to get some information.  At that appointment, they will assign you a consultant and walk you through the specific protocols at that clinic for blood tests, appointments, etc.

I'll try to locate a list of clinics in London.

At the same time, you will also need to register with a GP.  This needs to be someone in your catchment area.  You can search for doctors here:

http://www.nhs.uk/England/Doctors/Default.aspx

Your HIV clinic is unlikely to treat you for non-HIV related illnesses, so you can not simply rely on your HIV clinic for all you medical care...you will need a GP.  Also you will need to show proof of residency when registering with your GP (and apparently they will verify this again after 12 months for certain buroughs like Westminster).  Take a bill/utility (in your name and showing your address) and/or your rental lease agreement, as well as proof of your valid immigration status if you aren't a British citizen.

[keyite]

There is an overview of clinics in London here: http://www.gmfa.org.uk/londonservices/clinics/ - not all of these also provide HIV care but at least the page gives a fair bit of info.

Quality does vary, in my experience, and I'd probably choose one of the Chelsea & Westminster clinics - http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/services/hivgum/ or Mortimer Market or the Royal Free. I've also heard positive things about St Mary's.

[carousel]

I think a lot of it depends on personal preference.  I was seen at a clinic as part of the Chelsea and Westminster, but I found the appointments too inconvenient to fit around work.

There are number of clinics in London, so you can shop around if you are not satisfied.

Registering with a GP is important. There seems to be a concerted effort for them to take a bigger role in the treatment of non-HIV related matters.  But I prefer taking as much to the specialist because I can get free perscriptions.