Hospital apology as HIV patients asked "how did you catch it?" (From Bournemouth Echo)

Hospital apology as HIV patients asked "how did you catch it?"

1:00pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News By Jane Reader

Hospital apology as HIV patients asked "how did you catch it?"

HOSPITAL boss Tony Spotswood has apologised to a Bournemouth charity after its service users complained about being asked “unnecessary and intrusive” questions during treatment.

Body Positive said HIV positive patients were left angry and hurt after being asked how they contracted the virus during treatment at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, despite the question being “entirely unnecessary”.

Chief executive Mr Spotswood has said sorry and assured Body Positive manager Richard Erven that such questioning will stop.

Now Mr Erven is urging him to ensure his apology makes a difference.

“While I accept that he is sincere in both his apology and in giving his assurance we must wait and see what actually transpires,” said Mr Erven.

He said a similar assurance year ago made no difference.

Mr Erven said he understands that transmission routes need to be known but the issue is dealt with when an individual is diagnosed.

“This information remains on the medical record. To ask someone who has been HIV positive for a number of years how they became HIV positive is both intrusive and unnecessary.”

Bournemouth has twice the national average of people living with HIV with the biggest growth in numbers among young heterosexuals between 16 and 24.

Mr Erven said Body Positive was “determined to put an end to all forms of discrimination against people who are HIV positive” and stressed that most transmissions in the area are as a result of straight sex and less than two per cent attributed to injecting drug users.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Bournemouth Hospital confirmed Mr Spotswood had apologised but declined to comment further.

We welcome your comments on this story but please read our new house rules before you post.