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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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HIV Awareness and Support Policy

1. Purpose

This policy sets out {{org_field_name}}’s arrangements to ensure that people we support living with HIV receive safe, person-centred, dignified and non-discriminatory care, and that staff understand HIV, reduce stigma and follow evidence-based precautions. This policy supports compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (as amended) and CQC expectations under the Fundamental Standards and CQC’s Single Assessment Framework (quality statements). It also supports compliance with the Equality Act 2010, UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 where relevant. Clinical and infection prevention elements of this policy align with current national guidance for adult social care infection prevention and control and recognised UK HIV clinical guidance (including BASHH/BHIVA guidance on HIV post-exposure prophylaxis).

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, people we support, and visitors at {{org_field_name}}. It covers education, infection prevention, confidentiality, medication management, safeguarding, and psychosocial support. The policy ensures a stigma-free, person-centred approach to HIV care in our service.

This includes agency staff, contractors and volunteers working within the service. The policy also confirms our commitment to making reasonable adjustments (for example to support attendance at specialist appointments, privacy for medication administration, and communication needs) so that HIV is never a barrier to accessing care.

3. Definitions and key facts

• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that affects the immune system. With effective treatment, people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives.
• ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) is the treatment used to control HIV.
• Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U): when a person is on effective treatment and has an undetectable viral load, they do not transmit HIV through sex.
• Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs): the routine precautions used for everyone to prevent infection, including hand hygiene, appropriate PPE, sharps safety and environmental cleaning.
• PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis): emergency medication that may reduce the risk of acquiring HIV after a significant exposure; it must be assessed urgently.

4. Related Policies

• Dignity and Respect Policy (CH08)
• Safe Care and Treatment Policy (CH11)
• Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR) Policy (CH34)
• Infection Prevention and Control Policy (CH17)
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy (CH30)
• Medication Management and Administration Policy (CH21)

• Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Improper Treatment Policy (CH13)
• Consent to Care Policy (CH09)
• Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Policy (CH39)
• Receiving and Acting on Complaints Policy (CH14)
• Management of Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses Policy (CH24)
• Duty of Candour Policy (CH35)
• Record Keeping and Documentation Policy (CH47)

5. Policy Statement

{{org_field_name}} is dedicated to ensuring that individuals living with HIV receive the highest standard of care, free from discrimination and stigma. Our approach is person-centred, supporting the rights, dignity, and well-being of people we support while ensuring staff are educated and equipped to manage HIV-related care effectively.

6. HIV Awareness and Education

• All staff receive mandatory training on HIV, including transmission, prevention, treatment, and myths to combat stigma.
• Training includes universal precautions, confidentiality, and the legal rights of individuals living with HIV.
• Educational materials, such as posters, leaflets, and workshops, are available for people we support and their families.

7. Confidentiality and Data Protection

• HIV status is strictly confidential and is special category personal data protected under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, and must be handled in line with the Equality Act 2010.
• Only staff who need to know about an individual’s HIV status for care provision will have access to this information.

Information about HIV status is shared only on a strict need-to-know basis for safe care delivery and is recorded securely in line with our Information Governance arrangements.
Consent is sought and recorded before sharing HIV-related information outside the immediate care team; however, information may be shared without consent where this is lawful and necessary, for example:

• to protect the person’s vital interests in an emergency,
• where there is a safeguarding concern or risk of serious harm,
• where required by law or a statutory body, or
• where the person lacks capacity and sharing is necessary in their best interests (Mental Capacity Act 2005).

Any information sharing without consent must be proportionate, documented, and (where appropriate) discussed with the Registered Manager and/or the organisation’s data protection lead.

8. Infection Prevention and Control

Our infection prevention and control arrangements follow the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance, and the Infection prevention and control: resource for adult social care (England). Staff must apply Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) for all people we support, regardless of known or disclosed diagnoses.

• HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact; however, all staff must follow standard infection control precautions.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available for use when handling bodily fluids, ensuring universal precautions are adhered to.
• First aid procedures must follow universal precautions, treating all bodily fluids as potentially infectious.
• Sharps are managed in line with Regulation 12 (Safe care and treatment), the IPC Code of Practice, and our organisational sharps safety procedures (including immediate action and reporting for any sharps injury).

9. Medication Management and Adherence Support

• People we support who require antiretroviral therapy (ART) are assisted in medication adherence while respecting their independence.
• Medication is stored securely in line with Medication Management Policy (CH21) and CQC regulations.
• Staff administer medicines only within their competence and training (medicines administration and MAR competency). Staff do not provide clinical advice on HIV medicines; any concerns (missed doses, side effects, refusal, swallowing difficulties, or potential interactions) are escalated promptly to the GP, pharmacist and/or HIV specialist team. Where timing is clinically important, medication times are agreed with the prescriber/specialist and reflected in the MAR and care plan.
• Collaboration with healthcare providers ensures timely medication reviews and adherence support.

10. Safeguarding and Discrimination Protection

• HIV-related discrimination is strictly prohibited under the Equality Act 2010.
• Staff must report any discrimination experienced by people we support, either within the service or externally.
• Staff are trained to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, including HIV-related abuse or neglect.
• Safeguarding protocols are followed in line with Regulation 13 (Safeguarding) and multi-agency safeguarding frameworks.

HIV status can increase vulnerability to hate incidents, coercion, financial exploitation, sexual exploitation or discriminatory abuse. Any allegation, disclosure or suspicion of abuse, neglect or exploitation is managed under our safeguarding procedures, including referral to the local authority where required and immediate action to protect the person. Where there are concerns about a person’s ability to consent to sexual activity or intimate relationships, staff must follow safeguarding and Mental Capacity Act guidance and seek appropriate professional input.

11. Psychosocial and Emotional Support

• People living with HIV often experience mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or social isolation.
• Counselling and peer support referrals are provided where needed.
• Staff encourage positive mental well-being, providing emotional reassurance and linking individuals to HIV support organisations.
• People we support are encouraged to participate in activities that promote social inclusion and empowerment.

12. Equal Access to Care and Services

Under the Equality Act 2010, a person is automatically protected as disabled from the day they are diagnosed with HIV infection. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment or victimisation linked to HIV status, perceived HIV status, or association with someone living with HIV. Concerns about discriminatory behaviour by staff, other residents or visitors are addressed promptly through safeguarding/complaints processes and, where relevant, disciplinary action.

• People living with HIV have full and equal access to all care services provided at {{org_field_name}}.
• Staff must ensure that care plans reflect the specific health and social needs of people living with HIV.
• Any reasonable adjustments required for medical appointments or specialised care must be accommodated.

13. Staff Responsibilities

• Registered Manager:
  • Oversees policy implementation and ensures compliance with HIV care regulations.
  • Monitors training completion and ensures staff competency in HIV awareness.
  • Addresses discrimination or breaches of confidentiality.
  • Ensures this policy is implemented through supervision, spot checks and audits (IPC, medicines, confidentiality, incidents) and that actions are completed and reviewed.
  • Ensures learning from incidents and complaints is captured and shared (Reg 17 – good governance).
  • Ensures notifiable incidents and required notifications are made in line with CQC requirements and organisational policy.
• Care Staff:
  • Provide person-centred care while maintaining confidentiality.
  • Support medication adherence and encourage health-positive behaviours.
  • Identify and report any safeguarding or discrimination concerns.
• Infection Control Lead:
  • Ensures adherence to infection prevention protocols.
  • Provides ongoing staff training in universal precautions and HIV transmission prevention.
• Information Governance / Data Protection Lead (or nominated senior):
  • Provides advice on lawful information sharing, confidentiality breaches, record security and data minimisation.
  • Supports investigations and reporting where confidentiality incidents occur.

14. Emergency Response and Health Management

Occupational exposure to blood/body fluids (including sharps injuries):

1. Encourage bleeding of puncture wounds (do not suck), wash with running water and soap; irrigate splashes to eyes/mouth with water.
2. Report immediately to the person in charge and record on the incident system.
3. The person in charge completes a prompt risk assessment (type of injury, device, visible blood, source risk factors if known, and whether the exposure is significant).
4. Urgently seek clinical advice from the designated local pathway (e.g., Emergency Department/occupational health/sexual health on-call). PEP must be assessed urgently and started as soon as possible and within 72 hours where indicated.
5. Follow clinician advice for baseline tests and follow-up, and ensure staff receive support and counselling.
6. Any exposure incidents and outcomes are reviewed for learning and prevention (sharps safety, PPE compliance, staffing/competence).
   This procedure aligns with current UK guidance (BASHH/BHIVA) on HIV post-exposure prophylaxis.

Staff are trained to recognise opportunistic infections and complications related to HIV.
Where an incident results in moderate harm, severe harm or death, the Registered Manager will ensure actions under Regulation 20 (Duty of Candour) are completed and documented.

15. Training and Continuous Professional Development

• HIV awareness training is included in staff induction and ongoing training programmes.
• Additional training is available on latest advancements in HIV treatment, prevention, and care.
• Staff are encouraged to participate in external HIV awareness workshops and engage with HIV advocacy organisations.

16. Governance, monitoring and audit (Regulation 17)

We monitor compliance with this policy through:

• IPC audits and observations (hand hygiene, PPE, sharps safety, cleaning standards)
• Medicines audits (including missed/late doses and escalation)
• Incident and near-miss reviews (including sharps injuries and confidentiality breaches)
• Training compliance and competency checks
• Feedback/complaints themes relating to dignity, discrimination and confidentiality
  Findings are reviewed by the Registered Manager and used to drive improvement actions, with learning shared with staff.

17. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner where there are changes to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (as amended), CQC guidance / Single Assessment Framework expectations, or relevant national IPC/HIV clinical guidance.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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