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.
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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.
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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
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:
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
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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
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Other useful information
See also
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