| HIV Service |
|
What is the HIV Service?
The HIV Service of VIDS is the second largest provider of hospital-based HIV Service s in Victoria, Australia. People living with HIV/AIDS have been looked after at the hospital since 1984, and the service was formally established in 1988.
The aim of the service is to provide high quality care that meets the medical, social, psychological and other needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in a sympathetic, non-judgmental and confidential environment.
Who are we?
The Service's senior medical staff have extensive experience in the care of HIV-infected patients; many worked at Fairfield Hospital prior to its closure in 1996. A general practitioner/ sexual health physician also attends the clinic.
| Head |
Dr Alan Street |
| Physicians |
Dr Ruth Chin
Dr Ian Jennens
Dr Tim Read
Dr Joe Sasadeusz |
| Clinic Nurses |
Anna Wilkinson
Jo Patterson |
| Research Nurse |
Sally Newell
Janine Roney |
| Social Worker |
Krista Watts |
| Dietitian |
Dietitian services are available through the Unit.
Please contact us directly to arrange this service. |
What do we do?
Outpatient services
Outpatient clinics are held on Monday between 4:30pm and 6:00pm and on Thursday between 9:30am and 12 midday.
The main function of the outpatient clinics is to provide medical and other support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. The HIV Service also offers a comprehensive counselling and testing service for those who are concerned about the possibility that they may have HIV infection. The social worker and dietitian are on site if their help is needed, and a comprehensive interpreter service is available.
If required, the service can organise for patients to access the full range of other specialty services provided by the hospital, such as psychiatry, dermatology or ophthalmology.
For patients visiting from interstate or overseas, the service can organise treatments such as inhaled pentamidine or IV ganciclovir.
Inpatient services
Patients requiring care in hospital are admitted to a modern ward (Ward 9 East), which is staffed by experienced and sympathetic nurses. Most of the accommodation is in single rooms.
Clinical Research
The service is part of an Australian network of HIV clinical research sites. Through the joint appointment of A/Prof Jenny Hoy, who is director of HIV Clinical Research at the Alfred Hospital, and the HIV Service clinical research nurse, there is an active clinical research program which is closely linked with the Alfred.
Community links
The HIV Service s has forged close links with the Royal District Nursing Service and the Victorian AIDS Council Support Group, and a high HIV caseload general practitioner (Dr Tim Read) also attends one of the clinics. A multidisciplinary meeting is held each week to review the progress of patients, and to co-ordinate their hospital and community-based care. An HIV Hospital/Community Care Committee meets six times per year to discuss HIV-related issues and its member includes community agency representatives and a person living with HIV/AIDS.
How do you contact us?
If you wish to make a clinic appointment, you should have a referral letter from your own doctor, but if you prefer to see the HIV Service without a referral, please contact us beforehand to discuss this.
Telephone (03) 9342 7212
Facsimile (03) 9342 7277
Email vids@mh.org.au
Useful links to HIV Services and information
See also main HIV links on this site
Victorian AIDS Council
People Living With HIV/AIDS Inc
HIV/AIDS information from the Department of Human Services
Alfred Hospital Access Information Centre
Royal District Nursing Service
Positive Women
Gay and Married Men Association (GAMMA)
Carlton Clinic
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
AIDSLINE |
