Creating a hub for HIV representation in Scotland
HIV Scotland’s remit is to help inform and deliver strong policies and effective strategies involving all aspects of HIV in Scotland. Primarily aimed at voluntary agencies, medical professionals and service providers, we developed an online hub that clearly communicates the remit of the organisation, its actions and just as importantly its successes in tackling the HIV epidemic.
In developing the hub, it is important HIV Scotland is seen as being impartial and not involved in delivering direct support services, but instead provides direction for the different audiences to the relevant information and services. It was also important to clearly present consultation activity with central Government, along with the outcomes of this activity to help raise awareness of the HIV Action Plan for Scotland and HIV Scotland’s contribution to it.
As well as a location based directory of services, the website features a GP Audit tool designed to improve earlier detection of HIV in patients and a data and research section highlighting important trends in HIV. Further work in this area is currently underway to help researchers develop a recruitment programme for new approaches around prevention, testing and diagnosis.
