Duration: April 2007 - May 2009
Sigma Research was funded by Terrence Higgins Trust to co-ordinate the development of a framework to address the health, social care, support and information needs of people with diagnosed HIV in England. It has now been published as the Framework for better living with HIV in England.
The over-arching goal of the framework is that all people with diagnosed HIV in England "are enabled to have the maximum level of health, well-being, quality of life and social integration". In its explanation of how this should occur the document presents a road map for social care, support and information provision to people with diagnosed HIV in England. By establishing and communicating aims and objectives, the framework should build consensus and provide a means to establish how interventions could be prioritised and coordinated. The key drivers for the framework were clearly articulated ethical principles, agreed by all those who sign up to it, and an inclusive social development / health promotion approach.
Sigma Research worked on the framework with a range of other organisations who sent representatives to a Framework Development Group (see below for membership). The framework is evidence-based and seeks to:
Promote and protect the rights and well-being of all people with HIV in England.
Maximise the capacity of individuals and groups of people with HIV to care for, advocate and represent themselves effectively.
Improve and protect access to appropriate information, social support, social care and clinical services.
Minimise social, economic, governmental and judicial change detrimental to the health and well being of people with HIV.
Alongside the development of the framework, Sigma Research undertook a national needs assessment among people with diagnosed HIV across the UK called What do you need?. These two projects informed and supported each other.
Framework Development Group included:
African HV Policy Network
Black Health Agency
George House Trust
NAM
NAT (National AIDS Trust)
Positively Women
Terrence Higgins Trus
