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Promoting excellence in the prevention and management of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
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Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health
This site tells you about our work with health professionals and policy-makers and provides links to a wide range of other useful sources of information. Find out more about us.

  What’s new

Progress and priorities - working together for high quality sexual health
The Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV commissioned MedFASH to undertake a review of the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV. To see the full report, click here. To see the executive summary, click here.
For more information, see the Group's 2006/7 annual report, Why sexual health is a cross governmental issue.

Royal College of General Practitioners: Introductory Certificate in Sexual Health
MedFASH, working with the RCGP, has developed the Introductory Certificate in Sexual Health, which is appropriate for GPs, Practice Nurses and other practitioners working in general practice at all stages in their careers. It aims to support the development of competencies at an introductory level for generalists. For more information on the course, or to reserve a place, click here.

Consultation on draft guidelines for HIV testing in all healthcare settings
New guidelines have been developed by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), the British HIV Association (BHIVA) and the British Infection Society (BIS) to facilitate an increase in HIV testing in all healthcare settings. MedFASH is a member of the writing group. The consultation is now closed, but you can read the draft guidelines at the BASHH, BHIVA and BIS websites.

London Sexual Health Service Mapping & Needs Assessment
MedFASH is managing the first service mapping and needs assessment of sexual health across London. The project is jointly commissioned by the DH National Support Team for Sexual Health and the DH Sexual Health Policy Team, through Lambeth PCT (on behalf of London PCTs). For more information, click here.

HIV for non HIV specialists
MedFASH has started work on a project to support healthcare professionals who are not HIV specialists in identifying and addressing factors which can hinder access to and effective provision of HIV testing and care.

10 high impact changes for genitourinary medicine 48-hour access
Produced by the Department of Health's National Support Team for Sexual Health and MedFASH, this best practice guide provides measures that can be implemented quickly and on a scale that will enable 48-hour access to a local GUM service by March 2008.
This document follows on from the guide 'Top tips' to support 48-hour GUM access which was produced by MedFASH with the Department of Health to support delivery of the 48-hour access target for GUM. Drawing on lessons learnt from the national review of GUM services, the 'Top tips' guide was circulated to SHA chief executives with a covering letter from Richard Gleave (Director of Performance, Department of Health).

Criminal prosecution for HIV transmission
A BMJ editorial (30 September 2006) by Ruth Lowbury (MedFASH Executive Director) and Professor George Kinghorn argues that criminal prosecution for HIV transmission is a threat to public health.
A version of this editorial was also published in student BMJ (December 2006).
The December edition of the journal was devoted to HIV AIDS - 25 Years On.


  Current publications and activities

Here is a selection of our current publications and activities. For a fuller list please visit the Activities and Publications pages. For more information on policy and consultations, click here.

National review of Genito Urinary Medicine services
MedFASH managed this review commissioned by the Department of Health. The programme of multi-agency review visits was completed in May 2007, with over 85% of GUM clinics in England visited.

Recommended standards for sexual health services published March 2005, with Department of Health endorsement, for providers and commissioners of all NHS-funded sexual health services.For more information about the project click here. To order copies, click here.

HIV in primary care published December 2004 (revised April 2005). An essential guide to HIV for GPs, practice nurses and other members of the primary care team, recently recommended by the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, in his September 2007 public health update Improving the detection and diagnosis of HIV in non-HIV specialties including primary care. Printed copies are still available and are free for GPs and primary care teams in England. For more information about the booklet, click here. To order copies, click here.

Recommended standards for NHS HIV services (published October 2003)
Endorsed by the Department of Health, the British HIV Association and the National Association of NHS Providers of AIDS Care and Treatment. Relevant for a range of providers as well as commissioners, service users and those involved in performance management.
CD-ROMs available free of charge - see ordering information for more details.

 

Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health is a charity supported by the British Medical Association

If you can't find what you are looking for on this site please check our extensive links section

Previously known as the BMA Foundation for Aids, we adopted the new name Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health in April 2002, to reflect our role and remit more accurately.

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We have amended our 'links' page. Please take a moment to have a look at this page and if you have any comments or suggestions about the new layout please let us know.