Bournemouth are now travelling to Weymouth or to London hospitals for
their HIV tests and medications.
Martin Skipworth, the former chair of Body Positive in London, who now
lives in Bournemouth, says he travels up to London for treatment because
the standard of HIV treatment in the south coast seaside resort is "less
than satisfactory."
The dedicated HIV unit at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, the Panel Suite,
was closed down in 1999 and since then positive patients have had to use
the
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The modern facade of the Royal Bournemouth Hospital
local GUM clinic.
David Galley, chair of Body Positive Dorset, said; "Historically
there have been problems at the hospital and they've always stuck their
heads in the sand about new treatments and tests.
"You have to see it to believe it, the accommodation is crap here,"
Galley continued: "The waiting room is a glorified corridor and there
is no confidentiality. HIV positive patients are just roped in with the
rest of the GUM clinic."
In response, a spokesman for the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals
NHS Trust said they were astonished to have received these complaints.
"They are completely without substance," he told Positive Nation.
"We recommend our patients have viral load tests either bi-monthly
or quarterly, in accordance with
BHIVA guidelines.
