Saving Lives ST/DH 130-1-2011
Saving Lives is an HIV awareness campaign developed by Dr Steve Taylor, Dr John Watson and Dan
Hartland from the Birmingham Heartlands HIV Service - one of the largest HIV centres outside
London.
The Message is simple:
“Early and expanded HIV testing is fundamental if we are to diagnose those people who are
infected and unaware. Only then can they receive the life-saving treatment currently available and
impact and reduce the ongoing transmission of HIV.”
Dr John Watson HIV Specialist
Saving Lives started life as a local campaign developed for hospitals within the Heart of England NHS
Foundation Trust, but has expanded rapidly. It is now beginning to enjoy success nationally.
Key Messages
A quarter of those living with HIV are unaware they are carrying the infection
People do not consider themselves at risk of infection
There is a lack of medical awareness of, and testing for, HIV
In recent years, there has been a lack of media attention resulting in low awareness and
significant ongoing stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, and this remains a major barrier to testing
Key Statistics
Saving Lives ST/DH 130-1-2011
Recent 2009 Health Protection Agency (HPA) statistics show:
More than 80,000 people are living with HIV in the UK
Over a quarter of people with HIV (22,000) in the UK are undiagnosed
2,471 new diagnoses among men who have sex with men
3,181 new diagnoses among heterosexual contacts
Our Aims
Our aims are clear. We need to:
Increase awareness
Increase testing
Reduce late diagnosis
Reduce transmission
Reduce stigma
How Do We Achieve These Goals?
“It’s all about education,” explains Dr Steve Taylor. “At every level, and in every discipline, as
clinicians, we need to be aware of the symptoms and signs that HIV can present with, and of the
necessity of testing for it. Recommending a simple blood test is not about passing judgement on a
person’s lifestyle, nor should it affect their life insurance premiums; but it may well save their life.”
Who Needs to Be A Part of This?
Doctors and Health Care Professionals
The Media
The Public: Young and Old
Policy Makers: Local and National
Public Health Authorities
Politicians
Engagement
The key to the success we seek is in the quality of our engagement. If we can get the right messages
to the right people, the right decisions will be made. We aim to undertake a variety of engagement
Saving Lives ST/DH 130-1-2011
activities in order to further the Saving Lives campaign.We aim to engage the following key stake
holders:
Doctors; local, regional , and national organisations; educational programs and resources
for teaching the teachers
The Public: by utilisation of the Media, including print, TV, and social media
Develop champions to the cause, i.e. sporting figures, pop stars and celebrities
Develop innovative methods of communication
Secure funding streams to propagate the campaign
Our Current Campaigns:
Our Recent Activities:
You can explore our website – and add it to your bookmarks – to follow our activity as it happens.
Just visit www.sexualhealthbirmingham.co.uk
Local:
Nov 2010: 10,000 payslip - A5 Saving Lives leaflet from the Birmingham Heartlands HIV
Service
Dec 2010: Feature - BGJ Heart of England Hospital Magazine front cover and editorial
Nov 29th 2010: Birmingham Metro double-page spread
1st December 2010 Birmingham Metro single page
1st December 2010: BBC Midlands Today “Katies Story”
1st December 2010: BBC WM interview with Joanne Malin
National:
Design your own Beer Google Johnny Poster service available to health care professionals
National A5 Leaflets Saving Lives leaflet for www.Doctors.net.uk
HIV testing Pod Cast for www.Doctors.net.uk
Saving Lives ST/DH 130-1-2011
A3 Poster Saving Lives
A3 Poster BGJ supporting the “Time to Test Campaign”
Beer Goggle Johnny screen-saver: Radio 1 /Radio 1 Xtra: BGJ Needs You!