We understand that many people choose not to disclose their HIV status to anyone else, and that confidentiality is of the utmost importance.  During your first appointment we will ask you to sign a confidentiality form, which demonstrates your commitment to confidentiality.  All service users of George House Trust have signed this form and staff and volunteers have also signed a statement committing to everyone’s confidentiality also.

Some people have been prosecuted for passing on HIV.  Under the law, this is referred to as Reckless Transmission.

Reckless Transmission is when someone did not try to prevent HIV from being transmitted.  It does not mean that they did it deliberately.

The law is broken if:

Telling someone you are living with HIV is most often referred to as disclosure.

Condoms, when used correctly, prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. We now know that people living with HIV who are on treatment and have an undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV to someone else. This is what is meant by U=U (Undetectable equals Untransmittable).  

During your clinic appointments you and your consultant will be able to discuss your health, as well as your HIV health, and you can be safe in the knowledge that you will begin treatment at the point at which it is best for you.

At certain times of the year we offer an accredited newly diagnosed course (Understanding HIV and the Holistic Health Approach) which is run in conjunction with Open Awards and can offer 2 credits at Level Two Study.

The course is run over 5 weeks and covers:

• Understanding the terms used by clinicians
• Disclosure
• Sex and Risk
• Adherence to medication 
• The Equality Act 2010

With treatments, HIV is a long term manageable condition and a positive diagnosis is not what it once was.

You might be scared about what your future will be like now that you are living with HIV and George House Trust can support you through this time.  All of George House Trust’s work and services promote living well with HIV and HIV should not be a barrier for anyone wanting to realise their full potential.

All of George House Trust’s services are free and confidential.

Although there is still no cure for HIV, treatments have developed to such an extent that by taking them, people can reduce the amount of HIV in their bodies to undetectable levels, which not only benefits their own health, but also means that the chances of passing on HIV to someone else during sex are in effect close to zero.