Stigma and discrimination
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde consider that any stigmatisation or discrimination of people living with HIV is unacceptable.
Poor knowledge and misconceptions about how the virus is transmitted means that HIV can evoke fears, prejudices and negative attitudes, and unfortunately many people living with HIV still experience stigma and discrimination within healthcare settings in NHSGGC.
Here you will find information on the work we are doing to tackle and reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination within NHSGGC.
We have been working closely with people living with HIV to create new resources and a staff campaign. This is the story of how through collaborative working we hope to put and end to stigma within our services.
What is Stigma?
Stigma is usually based on fear, ignorance and prejudice. Misconceptions and a lack of knowledge about HIV and how it is transmitted contribute to stigma.
What is Discrimination?
While stigma is found in a person’s attitude or beliefs, discrimination is about their behaviour. Discrimination means treating one person differently from another based on their characteristics. Examples HIV patients report include:
- “Your appointment is delayed or you are moved to the end of the list”
- “The person puts on two pairs of gloves to treat you”
- “Openly discussing status in front of other staff or even patients”
- “Treatment was poor. Their fear made them aggressive towards me”
Your Experience
Have you experienced or seen HIV stigma or discrimination taking place within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC) health services? If you have we want to hear about your experience. This could be any service from primary care to hospital appointments, especially if it is not related to HIV care. It could have happened any time in the last 3 years.
You may have had direct experience or wish to let us know on behalf of someone else; you may have experienced staff treating a patient living with HIV in a discriminatory manner or, as a member of staff you feel that a procedure you have been told to follow causes stigma for those living with HIV.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember all the details just tell us as much as you can. Collecting these experiences helps us to work together to ensure people living with HIV are treated with the dignity, compassion and respect that all patients in NHS GGC can expect.
You can complete the form anonymously. However, if you would like the HIV Peer Support Manager to discuss the incident further including how to make a formal complaint please make sure you enter your contact details.
You can also give feedback on your experience of care or treatment within the NHS by visiting CARE OPINION