6. Amend "Emergency
Treatment" criteria for long stay visitors with HIV
"Visitors" to the UK, including students, cannot get anything
other than emergency treatment for HIV unless they have been in the country
for more than a year. The wait is cruel and damaging.
7. Extend the Disability Discrimination
Act (DDA) to include HIV from the point of diagnosis
At the moment, the Disability Discrimination Act only covers HIV infection
if it causes symptoms. But you don't have to be ill to face HIV prejudice.
Everyone should be protected.
8. Develop a code of employment practice
on HIV
Evidence suggests high levels of discrimination against people with HIV
in the workplace. The government could lead the way in the appropriate
treatment of HIV positive workers by releasing a code of conduct for all
employers.
9. Change benefit rules to let people
work flexibly
Benefits make it hard for people with intermittent illness to return to
work. Changing the complex "linking rules" that guarantee benefit
levels if people are only able to work intermittently could help solve
this problem.
10. Review the practice of British insurance
companies
People with HIV are living far longer, yet insurance companies still refuse
to provide cover for their lives and health. The evidence base that denies
people with HIV a range of financial services is out of date and needs
review.
11. Include the treatment of children
affected by HIV in the National Healthy Schools accreditation scheme
Children need protection from HIV prejudice. What little guidance there
is about school health practice does not mention HIV. School guidance
needs to recognise this.
12. Only disperse asylum seekers with
HIV to areas with appropriate medical and social
page 2 of 4
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Dispersing asylum seekers with HIV to places without specialist help can
damage their health.
