Trusts seek feedback on joint proposal to improve HIV inpatient services

Patients, carers, service user groups and other stakeholders are being asked for their views on the proposal to bring together the HIV inpatient services currently provided by both Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

Both Chelsea and Westminster and Imperial College Healthcare currently provide separate HIV inpatient services, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital respectively, in north west London. Both hospital Trusts also provide a wide range of sexual health and HIV services across London.

The joint proposal looks to build upon the already high quality health services for people living with HIV, by bringing the HIV inpatient services together at our purpose-built Ron Johnson ward at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

The Ron Johnson ward is a 19 bed unit, all single rooms with en suite facilities and 10 with negative pressure capability. There is also a dedicated room to support those with mental health needs.

The key benefits to be gained from the proposal are:

• For patients admitted to hospital under HIV services, the Ron Johnson Ward at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is a purpose-built environment for HIV inpatient admissions and the facilities would provide for a better experience for patients.
• More joint working between specialist HIV healthcare providers across the two Trusts would improve the service and the quality of care for patients.
• As numbers of HIV inpatient admissions are decreasing and are expected to fall further over time, consolidating into one hospital site will concentrate specialist HIV healthcare expertise.

The specialist HIV healthcare clinical teams at Chelsea and Westminster and Imperial College Healthcare have worked together to develop this joint proposal.

Dr David Asboe, Chelsea and Westminster’s clinical director of HIV medicine and sexual health, said:

“Bringing together HIV inpatient care at the Ron Johnson ward in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital would mean patients have access to a purpose built unit with single rooms including en suite facilities. This modern environment would provide the best possible experience for inpatients during their stay in hospital.”

Dr Linda Greene, Imperial College Healthcare’s clinical director for HIV, sexual health and infection, said:

“We want to deliver the best possible care for patients who are admitted to hospital with a medical condition related to their HIV infection. By working together with Chelsea and Westminster, our HIV inpatients will receive the best possible care from dedicated HIV doctors, nurses and other clinical staff.”

The proposal is supported by NHS England, which is the lead organisation for the specialist commissioning of HIV services.

It comes at a time when Chelsea and Westminster Hospital have confirmed that we will begin re-opening enrolment for HIV prevention drug PrEP at our clinics which will mean a further 1500 places becoming available. This is as a result of NHS England confirming further funding to support the expansion of the trial for up to 26,000 participants.

Both Chelsea and Westminster and Imperial College Healthcare will continue to provide their current ambulatory or ‘walk in’ HIV care services which can avoid unnecessary hospital admissions for patients. This proposal only relates to the HIV inpatient services provided by both Trusts.

Both Trusts would welcome feedback throughout the engagement period from Tuesday 2 July until Friday 2 August 2019, especially from patients, carers and service user groups and other stakeholders to get a full range of views.

• Submit comments and questions
• Take a short survey (anonymously if preferred)

Subject to the feedback the Trusts receive on their joint proposal, it is expected that the timeframe would be for a decision to be made in August/September 2019.

For more information please read the proposal summary document.