This page provides information about services to people who have needs relating to HIV. You can contact any of these services yourself if you require further details about what they do.

Contents

London Borough of Waltham Forest

Health provision

Other services available by referral

To access support services for  people living with or affected by HIV/Aids please contact

The Enablement and Care Team
47 Gainsford Road
Walthamstow E17 6QB

Tel Call 020 8496 3000 and ask for The Enablement and Care Team
Tel 020 8496 1662/1872/1895 (Duty officers)
Email enablementandcare.team@walthamforest.gov.uk
Fax 020 8496 1840

How to contact us

You can contact us by phone, email, letter or fax at the address above during office hours.

We have access to interpreters and translators if we do not speak your language.

For more information about HIV services provided by Waltham Forest

What we do

We are a team of social workers who have specialist knowledge and expertise in working with adults and a range of long term conditions including HIV/AIDS. This could be someone who is unwell because of HIV or it could be a carer, partner of family members of the person who is unwell

We can support you to identify your own needs in this situation, and explore ways of meeting those needs. We will carry out an assessment of your needs and depending on your level of need, can organise a range of support services or give advice and information about the social care of people living with HIV. We can give emotional support -someone to talk with about your feelings, hopes, fears and expectations. We can put you in touch with other HIV organisations which may have something to offer you. Here are examples of how we may be able to help

  • If you are unwell we may be able to provide a paid carer to help you in your home
  • In some circumstances, we can provide equipment that will help you to maintain your independence at home through a Direct Payment
  • If you are too unwell to cook for yourself we can deliver a meal to your home
  • We may be able to arrange a break away from your home for you
  • We may be able to provide a Direct Payment to you for you to arrange these things for yourself
  • If mobility is restricted, assistance with a blue badge or travel permit

Children affected by HIV/AIDS

All new referrals for children affected by HIV should be sent to:

Disabled Children's Social Work Team
Specialist Children's Service
The Wood Street Health Centre
6 Linford Road
Walthamstow  E17 3LA

Tel 020 8430 7956
Fax 020 8430 7941

If whole families are affected by HIV/AIDS the Enablement and Care Team will work with the Disabled Children's Social Work Team to provide support. For more information about the Specialist Children’s Service.

Community Care charges

The Government expects people who can afford it to pay something towards the cost of their community care, and for some services you will have to pay. For other services you will only pay if your income is above a certain level.

Other services we can introduce you to

If it is appropriate we can introduce you to a wide range of other services. We will discuss these when we meet with you.

Department of Sexual Health (DOSH)

Department of Sexual Health (DOSH)
Whipps Cross Hospital
Whipps Cross Road
Leytonstone  E11 1NR
Tel 020 8535 6535
Fax 020 8535 6524

How to contact us

Anyone with HIV or who wants to be tested for HIV can contact us. This also applies to any sexually transmitted infection.

What we do

  • Pre and post HIV test counselling
  • Diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections
  • Inpatient care for patients with HIV/AIDS and other related problems
  • A range of support and advisory services

Other services we can introduce you to

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • HIV Dietician

Health Works

Health Works
Trinity Close
Leytonstone  E11 4RP
Tel 020 8558 5606
Fax 020 8518 7034

How to contact us

To make contact you can:

  • Write to us
  • Telephone us or use the fax

The service is provided by Forest Healthcare Trust and is able to offer a range of services to help drug and alcohol users keep in good health.

What we do

For clients affected by HIV/AIDS we could offer:

  • Information and advice about drug use and its effects
  • Borough wide needle exchange scheme
  • HIV testing/counselling
  • Hepatitis testing/counselling
  • Health screening
  • Methadone prescribing service
  • Arrangement of detoxification

How to contact us

To make contact you can:

  • Telephone us or use the fax
  • Write to us

The service is provided by Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust and is free and confidential for people affected by or concerned about HIV and AIDS.

What we do

  • Pre and post test counselling
  • HIV antibody testing
  • Counselling and support for people with HIV/AIDS
  • Loss and bereavement counselling
  • Counselling and support for carers, partners, families and friends of people with HIV/AIDS
  • Advice and support for professionals or volunteers involved in working with people with HIV/AIDS

Services available by referral

To use these services you will need to be referred.

HIV Dietician

Can offer advice on issues such as:

  • Eating for health in HIV
  • Vitamin and mineral supplementation
  • Food safety
  • Eating well on a limited budget

Food Chain

  • Prepares and delivers free 3 course meals tailored to suit the specific dietary needs of housebound people affected by HIV related illness. The service currently operates on Sundays only.
  • Referral to Food Chain is subject to a Community Care Assessment by a social worker.