Overview

Harrison wing provides specialist outpatient services for people with HIV. Our aim is to support you to live well with your condition.

Your doctor is confident that your condition is stable at this time.

You and your doctor have decided together that you will be on the stable patient pathway for the next year. A pathway is the plan for your care and the different stages that it involves. On the stable patient pathway, you have:

• yearly tests with the nurse
• a yearly review with the doctor 
• a 6-month phone appointment about your medicine

On a traditional pathway, you would have blood tests and other tests every 6 months. On the stable patient pathway, you have tests 1 time a year only. Having fewer appointments means that you spend less time travelling and at the hospital. 

We collected data during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This shows that it's safe to have fewer tests for patients whose condition is stable.

Your appointments

You have yearly appointments, where we do tests and review how you are. You also have a short phone appointment every 6 months to get your medicine prescription.

Yearly tests with the nurse

You have an appointment 1 time each year with the nurse for tests. This appointment is face-to-face (in person) with the nurse.

At your yearly appointment, the nurse offers you: 

• blood tests
• urine (pee) tests
• a sexual health screen (check-up)

The nurse also measures your weight and blood measure, and finds out if you need any vaccines.

Yearly review with the doctor

You have a review appointment with the doctor 2 weeks after your tests. You can decide if you want this appointment to be face-to-face, by video or by phone.

At your appointment with the doctor, you decide together if you want to:

• stay on the stable patient pathway
• be seen 2 times a year on a traditional pathway

6-month phone appointment about your medicine

Every 6 months, you have a short phone appointment with a senior nurse or pharmacist. They prescribe another 6 months of medicine if this is safe. UK guidance only allows us to prescribe 6 months of medicine at a time. 

The phone appointment is also a safety check. We make sure that you are well and that it is still safe to prescribe your medicine.

Support between appointments

You can contact us at any time for support. We can make an appointment for you to see a nurse or doctor at short notice, if needed.

You can decide to move back to the traditional pathway (and have tests every 6 months) at any time. Please contact us if you want to do this.

We make your GP aware of the pathway that you are on and update them about your condition. It is important that you still see your GP for all other concerns or if you feel unwell with a different condition.

If you need urgent medical advice, contact a GP, go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

In an emergency, go to your nearest emergency department (A&E).

Getting your medicine

Your medicine can be delivered to you or you can collect your medicine from Lloyds Pharmacy at Guy's Hospital. 

Lloyds Pharmacy is open 7 days a week.