Study finds support needed for HIV cases

BRADFORD’S first in-depth study of HIV and AIDS across the district has found more support services are needed.

It looked at the number of people with the condition, future forecasts of cases, current support available and what more help and support is needed in the future.

Independent consultant Hazel Bone was commissioned by Bradford Council’s Adult and Community Services to carry out the work.

A report published this week cites the need for increased support for people living with HIV/AIDS in the district as numbers of cases expected to grow.

The current number of people accessing care for AIDS or HIV is around 450. This figure is expected to rise to 550 by 2012. However, an estimated 30 per cent of people who have the virus do not know that they do, so the actual figure could be well over 700 locally.

The report will be officially showcased at the Great Victoria Hotel on Friday.

Bradford Council receives an AIDS support grant from the Government, which was 137,000 for 2009/10, to provide social support such as counselling, advice and community events. Other services are provided by the NHS, Bradford Council’s adult services’ social care teams and various other organisations and agencies.

But, according to the report, more services are needed because of the growing pressure on current support due to issues, such as an ageing population of people with HIV and the stigma surrounding HIV.

Suggestions include regular drop-in sessions and creating an outreach project with African communities and their churches.

Coun Dale Smith the council’s executive member for adult and community services said: “This report gives a very detailed picture of how HIV and AIDS is affecting our district.

“There is a great deal of good work being done to support people, this research shows that we have to expand on this so we can provide help where it is most needed.”