Introduction

I am pleased to announce the Standards for HIV Clinical Care, a new report by the British HIV Association, Royal College of Physicians, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV and British Infection Society. Standards for HIV Clinical Care was developed through a wide consultation process and was launched at the Royal College of Physicians on 20 March 2007. Key recommendations address:

• The organisation and structure of hospital care, recognising that HIV is best managed as a complex, chronic medical condition.
• Levels of service provision and networks including out patient centres and more specialised centres offering inpatient and referral services.
• The patient journey and appropriate triggers for referral between different providers.
• Staffing levels and clinical commitment needed to maintain professional expertise in HIV care.
• Record keeping to support a chronic disease model of care.

The British HIV Association, Royal College of Physicians, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV and British Infection Society will continue to work together with commissioners, clinicians, patient representatives and other stakeholders towards the implementation of the recommendations within Standards for Clinical HIV Care, and we would welcome any feedback you may wish to offer. The preparation and production of the report has been funded through an unrestricted grant from the British HIV Association.

On behalf of BHIVA, RCP, BASHH and BIS

• Prof Margaret Johnson, Chair, British HIV Association (BHIVA) 
• Dr Mary Armitage, Clinical Vice-President, Royal College of Physicians (RCP) 
• Dr Simon Barton, President, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) 
• Dr Nick Beeching, President, British Infection Society (BIS) 

Downloads

Standards for HIV Clinical Care (2007)
Read the accompanying press release