HIV Scotland Jobs
posted: 28/06/2010
HIV Scotland, in Edinburgh, has two HIV job vacancies. HIV Scotland is the national HIV organisation for Scotland. It does not provide services directly to people with HIV, but instead works with the Scottish government, HIV organisations and others to improve the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV and affected communities, and to prevent the spread of HIV.
The two jobs are
- Senior Policy Officer
- Learning Development Officer
Both are based in Edinburgh and are full time.
They want experienced specialists to give high quality advice and expertise to policy makers, professionals and agencies at all levels to promote standards, effective interventions and co-ordination in HIV.
They want a Senior Policy Officer who has a strong understanding of Scottish Government and Parliamentary structures, has up to date knowledge of HIV related policy, and a track-record in achieving change.
They want the Learning Development Officer with experience of communicating knowledge and of supporting standards, evidence-informed practice, and innovation, to diverse public and professional audiences.
Job Application Packs
Closing date for job applications is 19th July.
Permalink
Scotland - Convictions for HIV Exposure
posted: 20/01/2010
UPDATED Friday 26 February : He was sentenced to 10 years jail.
UPDATED Thursday 18 March 2010: He appealed the 10 year jail sentence, according to a report on the BBC.
UPDATED Tuesday 13 April 2010: He has lodged an appeal against the length of his sentence after his first appeal was rejected, according to a report in the Aberdeen Evening Express.
The first ever conviction anywhere in the UK, just for exposing someone to HIV without passing on HIV, has happened at the High Court, Edinburgh, in Scotland. The law in England and Wales is different and does not allow prosecutions for exposing someone to HIV.
A 41 year-old man pleaded guilty to four charges of ‘culpable and reckless conduct’ after being accused of not disclosing his HIV status to four women between 2003 and 2008, only one of whom became HIV-positive. There have only been two earlier cases in Scotland, both for actual transmission of HIV.
The case has been widedly reported in both Scottish and English media. While reports on BBC Online, the Scotsman, and STV.tv were somewhat neutral, tabloid coverage has been typically stigmatising, including today's Scottish Sun : "HIV fiend is lowest of the low" ; Scottish Daily Record calls him a "callous predator"; and the UK-wide Daily Express: "HIV rat facing prison for infecting his lover'.
Most of the articles focus on the fact that the 28 year-old woman who became HIV-positive was diagnosed during routine prenatal screening. She subsequently chose to end her twin pregnancy. (With diagnosis and appropriate treatment and care, there is now only a very small chance of babies having HIV). Some reports also refer to a fifth woman who was diagnosed alongside Devereaux in 1994.
'Denial' defence mocked
All of the articles mock Mr Devereaux's defence that he was in denial, because the prosecution produced evidence that he was taking antiretrovirals. It is in fact quite common for people to have a serious illness such as HIV and yet have difficulty accepting the reality of diagnosis and its consequences.
HIV sector responses
BBC Online has a second report focusing on reaction in the HIV sector, concerned that this conviction will lead to more arrests for non-disclosure without transmission in Scotland.
Deborah Jack, chief executive of the National Aids Trust (NAT), said:
"It is totally unjust to single out people with an HIV diagnosis for punishment for unprotected sex - we all need to be wiser and safer, looking after ourselves and those we have sex with. Most HIV transmissions are from people who have never had an HIV test. We recommend that the Scottish Executive change the law so that people with HIV cannot be charged with culpable and reckless conduct if no transmission took place."
Roy Kilpatrick, chief executive of HIV Scotland, said:
"We are particularly worried about the fact that prosecutions were brought in this case in respect of three sexual partners of Mr Devereaux who had not contracted HIV. We recognise that the primary motivation for bringing this prosecution must have been the actual transmission of HIV and that the prosecution would have felt it necessary to put the full context before the court. However, it would be alarming if the charges brought in this case open the door for future prosecutions in cases where no harm has been caused."
He said that bringing prosecutions where no harm had been caused would stigmatise people living with HIV. He called for a clear statement of Scottish HIV prosecution policy.
Source
On sentencing and imprisonment
Image source
Permalink
Make Your Position Clear
posted: 21/12/2009
'Make your position clear' is the message in the new HIV awareness campaign for gay men in the central belt of Scotland.
A Glasgow ad agency was asked to create a memorable campaign that would get men to stop and think about their sexual health and behaviour. It will appear in gyms, doctors' surgeries and on public transport.
Talk about it
The key message 'Make your position clear', aims to show men that they "can and should be talking to each other about their own and their partner's sexual health, and making their stance clear on using condoms and lube and not risking unprotected sex".
The agency said the campaign presented it with "the unique challenge of translating an often highly sexual image and message for use in the public arena, promoting an overall general awareness". The campaign is for the Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire NHS Trusts.
The campaign website makeyourpositionclear Position #26 the check-out is shown above. Other images in the campaign are
- Position #8 - a nude game of Twister, saying
'Whatever position you’re in, it’s a lot safer with condoms and lube. Make them your first pick up.'
- Position #18 is a nude take on The Titanic, with the message
'Check ups and HIV testing every 6 months help look after your long term health. Make an appointment today.'
What about NW England?
HIV prevalence among gay men and other men who have sex with men is far higher in Manchester, Salford and Blackpool than the central belt of Scotland. When did the NHS fund a public HIV awareness campaign for gay and bisexual men on public transport in Greater Manchester and Blackpool, for example?
Source
Permalink
New Scottish HIV Action Plan
posted: 01/12/2009
Scotland’s HIV Charities have welcomed the launch of the Scottish Government’s HIV Action Plan.
A full review of the needs of people living with HIV, the best ways of reducing HIV provide the ground for the Scottish strategy for the next five years. This first Scottish national HIV action plan is intended to give a much needed boost to HIV awareness and prevention.
The latest statistics released by Health Protection Scotland show that rates of HIV diagnosis in Scotland remain at record levels. HIV charities support the Action Plan’s closer combination of prevention and treatment interventions to strengthen Scotland’s response to HIV.
This integrated approach will help those attending clinics for testing and care to get information and support to protect themselves and their partners. Outreach and awareness raising work with communities will emphasise the benefits of early HIV testing.
.jpg)
HIV Scotland’s Roy Kilpatrick said, “This Action Plan recognises the need for HIV prevention at many different levels, along with the imperative that the growing numbers of people on treatment get the very best care, wherever they live and whatever their background. We welcome the recognition within the Plan of the need to work collaboratively across sectors. It is pleasing to see that the Plan deliberately sets ambitious goals for the next five years that involve charities, government, health experts and individuals, in intensifying our efforts and scaling up the work.”
David Johnson, Director of Waverley Care, Scotland’s largest HIV charity, described how Waverley Care provided a wide range of support for a wide range of people and needs from children through mothers and fathers to gay men. He said "Practical support and respite are also essential components of care. But at the end of the day, people themselves make the difference, and the HIV Action Plan has much in it that will help organisations like Waverley Care in their work with people living with HIV."
Parliament launch
The HIV Action Plan was launched today by Scotland Minister for Public Health, Shona Robison, with a debate in the Scottish Parliament led by Jack McConnell MSP. Health Protection Scotland issued its comprehensive report to link with this launch.
Scottish HIV Action Plan, or available also from this page Scottish HIV Action Plan
HIV figures and comment from Health Protection Scotland
Source HIV Scotland
Permalink