Closure of HIV unit 'upsetting and disgusting'

Two men living with HIV have criticised plans by a specialist service to close its inpatient care facility.

Phillip Faithfull, now 66, contracted HIV in the mid-1980s but did not begin treatment until 2007, when he became ill with pneumonia.

Retired barman Phillip was admitted to the "kind and compassionate" 10-bed inpatient unit run by the Sussex Beacon in Brighton.

But the charity said on Monday it had reviewed its services with the NHS and confirmed it will have to close the unit at the end of January to focus on community care instead.

Dr James Ramsay, chief medical officer at NHS Sussex, said that improved treatments mean that a community-based approach is now the most effective way to support those living with HIV.

"That may be true," said Phillip. "But I still feel there are people out there yet to be diagnosed, who when they are diagnosed are going to need the inpatient unit."

The BBC spoke with a second man, who asked to remain anonymous, about his experience staying in the inpatient unit.

"We do have a lot of side-effects [from medication]," he said. "I had to change medication and was monitored by professionals.

"I find it upsetting that it can be terminated within a matter of weeks and disgusting that there's been no consultation.

"There are people in the community who need a place like that."

Rachel Brett, chief executive of the charity, said: "We hope the clinical services that the Beacon will offer in the community will mean that people won't need to go into hospital and that the worry about confidentiality will be lessened.

"However, it is important to remember that sometimes our patients have to go into hospital anyway, for care that can't be undertaken by our nurses."

Ms Brett acknowledged concerns about lack of sensitivity from hospital staff, saying training could be "an ambition" going forward.

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