| Standard | Accessibility | Home | A to Z | Site Map | Contact Us

You are in: home > children & families > families > hiv / aids >

HIV / AIDS

Support for adults with HIV / AIDS

A diagnosis of HIV affects you, your family, partner and friends. We describe here the help available and details of who to contact for further information and advice.

back to top

What do we provide?

Devon Social Services provides a confidential service for anyone in Devon regardless of gender, sexuality, lifestyle or racial origin.

Together we can help with:

  • Counselling and emotional support

    You may feel the need to discuss your fears and anxieties. It may be difficult for you to talk about your thoughts and feelings with your family. We offer emotional and psychological support in a confidential and non judgmental environment.

  • Financial Advice

    Extra expenses may be associated with your illness. You may be entitled to various benefits or be eligible for financial help from other sources. You may also be given support with continuing to work.

  • Practical Assistance

    You may have physical difficulties in coping with daily living, need help in the home or with travelling to hospital appointments. We will work with you.

back to top

Support available:

Many of the agencies below work together to offer a range of confidential, sensitive, non-discriminatory services:

Positive Action South West (PASW)

PASW provides information, advice, support and advocacy for those living with HIV and their carers, partners and family members. There is also a wide range of complementary therapies available.

Specialist information and support is available on drug treatments, and there is a hardship fund for clients who are HIV positive.

Plymouth AIDS Support group

  • Tel. 01752 229817

The group offers befriending (buddy) and voluntary support to people who are HIV positive or have AIDS, and to their families and carers.

Eddystone Trust

The Eddystone Trust is an independent organisation providing information, training, and support for anyone affected by HIV and AIDS or Hepatitis C (HCV) in Plymouth, Torbay, and south and west Devon:

  • Helpline: (01752) 251666

For details of education programmes for groups and organisations.
The group also offers Outreach - practical and emotional support for anyone concerned about HIV and AIDS.

  • Plymouth Office:
    36 Looe Street
    Bretonside
    Plymouth
    PL4 0EB

    Tel: 01752 257077
  • Torquay Office:
    24 Braddons Hill Road West
    Torquay
    TQ1 9BG

    Tel: 01803 380692

Community Drug Service

  • Dameral House
    Dameral Close
    Plymouth
    PL1 4JZ.

    Tel. 01752 566660

A confidential service to drug users offering support, information, advice, counselling, psychotherapy and advocacy to users, family and friends. Also replacement prescribing, detoxification, relapse prevention and referral to specialist agencies.

National AIDS Helpline:

  • Tel. 0800 567 123

    For other languages Tel. 0800 717 2227

back to top

Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) and Advice, Bloodtesting and Counselling (ABC) Clinics:

Bideford

  • Department of Genitourinary Medicine
    Bideford & Torridgeside Hospital
    Abbotsham Road
    Bideford
    EX39 3AG

    Tel: 01271 322483 (Office - Mon to Fri, 8.30am - 4.30pm)

    Tel: 01237 472692 (Clinic time only)

    Opening Times: Wednesdays 9.00am - 11.40am (appointments only)

ABC Clinic: Wednesday morning by appointment only

Exeter - GUM Clinic:

  • Department of Genitourinary Medicine
    Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Heavitree)
    Gladstone Road
    Exeter
    EX1 2ED

    Tel: 01392 405220 (appointments)

    Opening times: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays - Tel: 01392 405220 for details

Exeter - ABC Clinic:

  • Palace Gatehouse
    Palace Gate
    Exeter
    EX1 1HX

    Tel: 01392 494441 (Appointments)

    Tel: 0800 328 3508 (Helpline)

    Opening times: Thur afternoon (HIV/ Hepatitis testing)

Ilfracombe

  • Department of Genitourinary Medicine
    Ilfracombe Hospital
    St Brannocks Park Road
    Ilfracombe
    EX34 8JF

    Tel: 01271 863448 Clinic time only

    Tel: 01271 322483 Office (Mondays - Fridays, 8.30am - 4.30pm)

    Opening times: Tuesdays 9.30am - 11.30am (appointments only)

ABC Clinic: Tue morning by appointment only

Plymouth

  • Department of Genitourinary Medicine
    Derriford Hospital
    Plymouth
    PL6 8DH

    Tel: 01752 763910

    Fax: 01752 763912

    Opening times: Females -
    Mondays 10.00am - 11.30am
    Tuesdays 1.30pm - 3.30pm
    Wednesdays 5.00pm - 6.30pm
    Thursdays 10.00am - 11.30am
    Fridays 10.00am - 11.30am

    Opening times: Males -
    Mondays 5.00pm - 6.30pm
    Tuesdays 10.00am - 11.30am
    Wednesdays 10.00am - 11.30am
    Thursdays 5.00pm - 6.30pm

ABC Clinic: by appointment only

Torquay

  • Department of Genitourinary Medicine
    Outpatients Department
    Level Two Waiting Area G
    Torbay Hospital
    Torquay
    TQ2 7AA

    Tel: 01803 655140

    Opening times: Males
    Tuesdays 6.00pm - 7.30pm
    Thursdays 4.00pm - 5.30pm

    Opening times: Females
    Tuesdays 4.00pm - 5.30pm
    Thursdays 2.00pm - 3.30pm

Torbay GUM: Tel. 01803 614567

back to top

Other useful information

See also

back to top

   

Page Updated 18/05/03