HIV specialists win national prize for research findings
1 August 2014
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A TEAM of nurses and researchers examining the support HIV patients need to take essential antiretroviral drugs have won first prize at the 16th National HIV Nurses Association conference in Cardiff for a poster presentation highlighting key research findings.
The prize was awarded to Dr Hilary Piercy, a principal lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, Ms Gill Bell, a nurse consultant sexual health adviser at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Dr Christine Bowman, clinical director of communicable diseases at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
During the study 23 HIV patients were asked about the support they required to take antiretroviral drugs, which can be particularly challenging as patients with HIV may have to take many pills several times a day. Taking the drugs is essential if patients are to avoid becoming sick and dying prematurely.
The findings will be used to inform future service developments.
Ms Gill Bell, a nurse consultant sexual health adviser at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to have won this award because it recognises the importance of understanding what patients need from health care services to enable them to manage their HIV successfully. This study identified essential components of adherence support and provided insights into the patient experience, which will enable us to better inform and guide service delivery in the future.”
Dr Hilary Piercy, a principal lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University said: “This project has been the result of a very effective collaboration between Sheffield Teaching Hospitals’ Sexual Health Services and Sheffield Hallam University. We have built on this success by securing funding for a national study into HIV care.”
The National HIV Nurses Association is the leading UK professional association representing nurses in HIV care. Founded in 1998, it is a well-established and highly respected organisation committed to providing excellence in the care of those living with and affected by HIV.
ENDS
Photo: Left to right: Ms Gill Bell, Dr Christine Bowman and Dr Hilary Piercy
MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudia Blake, Communications Specialist Tel: 0114 226 5033 Email: claudia.blake@sth.nhs.uk
