Online service for people with HIV developed by Reading Room
A new online service for people living with HIV has been launched by secretary of state for health Andrew Lansley and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust.
The service aims to transform the way people with HIV manage their condition long term and has been created by the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Terrence Higgins Trust and people with HIV. Named ‘Life Plus’, the initiative includes a new set of online, face-to-face and telephone support services providing an invaluable form of support for people living with HIV in the UK.
A dedicated new website has been developed by Reading Room and will enable people living with HIV to access interactive services tailored to their individual needs, requirements and stage of diagnosis, wherever they live in the UK, through an intelligent and complex digital personalisation strategy.
The functionality of the site includes the option to privately and securely store information on health and treatment to help monitor and actively manage HIV; a reminder function for clinic appointments; forums for people to build communities and offer support to each other; online counselling and advice; and information on how to become an active campaigner on HIV issues.
This interactive online service places digital at the heart of Life Plus and gives users a personalised, comprehensive and accessible resource that wouldn’t be possible using offline channels.
Nick Partridge of Terrence Higgins Trust said Life Plus is a “very exciting new type of service provision” which “comes at a critical time to support the high numbers of people living with HIV in the UK.”
He continued: “HIV service providers and clinicians across the country have been fundamental in shaping Life Plus and these services have been designed to reach people in both rural and urban areas, whether they’re newly diagnosed or have been living with HIV for many years. Thanks to the Elton John AIDS Foundation these services will revolutionise support for people with HIV, helping them to manage their health and treatment more effectively.”
Meanwhile Margaret Manning, CEO at Reading Room, commented: “This is a crucial service and Reading Room know the importance of the online user and making vital services such as this accessible and effective online. Through Life Plus, THT and EJAF will be able to better reach and improve the lives of those living with HIV in the UK. The technical complexity, grand scale and cause of the initiative proved to be an extremely worth-while and fulfilling project for Reading Room, we’re very proud of the outcome and look forward to a long lasting relationship and continued support for THT.