Pindi Mazomba, an HIV positive
mother-to-be who attends regular clinics at Newham said: “The
place is wonderful. They have everyone you need and everything available
- and all are just so helpful and understanding. It is really refreshing.”
The services provided by Newham - which include a paediatric consultant,
an adult consultant, a specialist midwife, a member of the community,
a social worker, an occupational therapist, a dietitian and a health
advisor - all have a strong focus on the patient and have generally
been considered a success.
“Our aim was to provide a seamless and integrated package
for HIV positive pregnant women and their partners,” said
Dr Ade Fakoya of the Greenway Centre.
“Users can access different parts of the service as and when
required - covering everything from a paediatric physician to social
work,” he explained.
“We believe it is the first complete service provided under
one roof and, for that reason, we were runners-up in the ‘NHS
Team of the Year’ award last year.
“We are in the process of developing our user involvement
and participation programme - and we recognise that user involvement
groups and forums are an important development for a variety of
reasons,” said Dr Fakoya.
“For the past six months we have created forums not just for
service users but for their partners as well - which help to get
them involved in all aspects of the development of an effective
service.”
...and when it doesn’t
Not everyone is celebrating the advent of ‘Patient Power’
and voices of discontent are beginning to be heard around the wards
and doctors waiting rooms.
One top London HIV clinician, who wishes to remain anonymous, thinks
that: “Although patient power is all very well and good -
it can be taken that step too far.” He recalls how: “One
patient of mine, fresh from a patient power meeting, came in demanding
that she knew which treatment was best for her. It was not the treatment
that I would have prescribed, but I went ahead and dispensed it
anyway.
“The next thing you know, she is covered from head to toe
with a nasty rash, began vomiting everywhere and |
