Here are just a few of the reasons our supporters think that NAM's patient information resources are vital:
They enable patients to engage meaningfully with
their healthcare team
NAM's patient
information is an invaluable part of my clinical practice. It allows patients to have the most
up-to-date information in an accessible format and undoubtedly improves patients'
capacity to advocate better for their own health. Managing HIV requires partnerships between
healthcare providers and patients and NAM material is an important bridge to
achieve this. Doctor, Barts Health NHS Trust
The information
available from NAM helps patients make an informed choice. It helps patients feel empowered in their
decision making and more confident regarding the treatment options. All these factors promote a discourse about
patient health between the doctor and the patient that moves away from the
paternalistic model of care towards one in which patients are making active
decision about their health. Doctor, Guy's
and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
They help
patients to participate in decisions regarding their treatment and care
Losing NAM and its
resources would have a hugely detrimental impact on patients being able to
understand, own and feel in control of their condition, something that the
modern NHS has striven towards over many years. It will be a very sad day for
HIV positive patients if funding is removed from this excellent organisation.
Health Adviser, Central and North West London NHS Trust
NAM provide the most
user-friendly information we have access to, we consistently run out of their
leaflets due to high demand, their work is vital in making sure people with HIV
are well-informed about their condition & able to make choices which
benefit both themselves and the wider public. Nurse, Chelsea and
Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Essential information
service for patients, it empowers patients, and facilitates them to make
informed choices about treatment. This has a positive impact on health
promotion and encourages drug treatment adherence. Nurse, Barts Health NHS
Trust
It has been an
invaluable tool for our patients to be well informed and so make informed
decisions over their sexual health and any treatment they may need. Research has proved time and time again that
written information enables information to be absorbed more efficiently. No
matter how good the relationships/interactions with the HIV team, without the
information provided by NAM, the negative impact on our patients would be
enormous. Health Adviser, Epsom & St
Helier NHS Trust
They enhance
the doctor-patient dialogue
High-quality patient
care and positive outcome relies on healthcare professionals working in
partnership with patients who have a long-term condition such as HIV. Good quality,
reliable information is a core requirement to such partnership working and
NAM's patient information service plays a vital role in achieving this. Health
Adviser, Barts Health NHS Trust
NAM provides accurate
information that is accessible for people living with HIV, their friends and
family. As a clinician, it allows me to
focus on key messages during my consultations that the patient can follow-up on
by reading high quality scientifically sound information. For a condition that is surrounded by extreme
stigma, harmful health beliefs, it is essential that a reliable source of
information pertaining to HIV continues to be available. Doctor, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
They support
patient self-management
I have 15 mins to see clients in a consultation and hence I rely
heavily on NAM Publications to provide further support and information. I trust
the information they provide and feel it serves to empower my clients and
provide them with the knowledge to deal with their diagnoses, move forward,
adhere to medication and normalise their lives safely. Losing NAM's information
service will only serve to place greater pressures on struggling NHS services. Doctor, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust
It is important that
patients have access to information that covers all areas concerned with living
with HIV. This is a long-term health
condition, and requires patients to have the appropriate knowledge to support
"self management" and help patients to take a lead in looking after
their health and well being. With more pressure
for patients to become "experts in their health condition" it is a
vital component of care that they have access to the correct information on
site where they get their HIV care. NAM leaflets cover a wide range of
important issues relating to living with HIV and are user friendly for patients
and staff. As the Clinical nurse lead, for HIV, I speak on behalf of our large
HIV unit. Nurse, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
They provide
adherence support
Brilliant, up to date,
patient information. These are vital for good patient care and support
adherence to anti-retroviral therapy. I strongly support continued funding.
Doctor, South London Healthcare NHS Trust
The leaflets are very
well researched, clearly written and provide excellent patient
information. They support adherence to
treatment, which is one of the best methods of prevention. South
West London HIV and GUM Clinical Services Network (SWAGNET)
NAM leaflets and regular
updates and bulletins have been an invaluable tool in my practice. Patients
love the literature, they find it easy to follow and they understand the
language. I am convinced the support NAM gives us and patients is part of the
reason we have one of the highest adherence rates in our patients in the world.
Pharmacist, HIV Pharmacy Association
Being provided with
information about HIV and how it is managed is central to patients' adherence
to treatment. If these resources are no longer available, it could potentially have a negative impact
on adherence and indirectly the health outcomes of patients living with HIV. It
is extremely important that patients continue to have access to printed
information sources. Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
It's not rocket science
that NAM materials are invaluable support for patients with HIV and their
adherence; to not fund it is ludicrous and short-sighted. Doctor, Royal Free
London NHS Foundation Trust
They are accessible,
comprehensive, independent and trusted
Considering that the internet is full of conflicting information
regarding all aspects of HIV NAM has always been the one trusted resource for
both accuracy but more importantly accessibility. The wording of all of their
information makes an often extremely complex and scary science as easy to
understand for the layman as possible. Since its inception it has strived to
make this so. Health Adviser, Central and North West London NHS Trust
Above all they are an independent, respected voice and one that
patients’ trust. Doctor, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
This is a fantastic
service; accurate, research based & complex information written in an
accessible form & in other languages for people who have different levels
of interest. Doctor, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clear, unbiased
practical information in a format easy to understand and take away, invaluable.
Doctor, Central and North West London NHS Trust
NAM has always provided
good quality information that is up to date, relevant and helpful to patients
in understanding results and concepts discussed in consultation with
professionals. The breadth of information is outstanding and welcome the really
helpful translations of resources. There is nothing out there that quite
matches it and it would be deplorable if this resource were to be lost. Health
Adviser, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
This service is VITAL
for my patients. The booklet series and online resources are the ONLY patient
information available written in language patients can freely understand, and
from a trusted independent source. Loss of this service will have a negative
impact on the quality of care of people living with HIV. Dietician, Guy's &
St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
This service is vital
for newly diagnosed patients, those from backgrounds where HIV knowledge can be
based on prejudice and stigma, find the information balanced, accurate and
trustworthy, I often signpost patients to the NAM leaflets in other languages
as know I can trust the information, even if I don’t know the language myself,
please do not stop this valuable service, the disadvantaged will suffer more.
Health Adviser, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
They are high quality, up to date and accurate
It's an absolutely vital
resource for our patients. The information is clear, concise, well researched
and most importantly, regularly updated. It would be a terrible shame to lose
this. Health Adviser, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
NAM is a national leader
for the quality of patient information it provides. The information produced
and shared with the individuals we look after who are living with HIV is an
essential part of the pathway from early diagnosis, starting treatment and
living well with HIV. They provide a superb service and have a significant
impact supporting people living with HIV. Doctor, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation
Trust
I have worked
exclusively with patients with HIV for the last 24 years. A huge part of my
role is treatment initiation, support and the ongoing care of my cohort. I cannot imagine being without the high
quality resources that we have depended on from NAM. Nurse, Central and North West London NHS
Trust
NAM provides very
important well written patient information that is recognised nationally by
clinicians and patients. NAM is a charity that is able to produce unbiased and
trusted material that patients and clinicians can refer to. In these times of
austerity we need to ensure we maintain the safety and effectiveness of NHS
services offered whilst cuts are being made. The loss of funding for these
booklets will have a direct negative effect on the care we offer to patients. Pharmacist, North Middlesex University
Hospital NHS Trust
They are an effective use of resources
Given that HIV is a
public health concern where HIV is at epidemic levels, particularly in London,
HIV clinics need all the adherence and educational tools possible to help
reduce ongoing transmission of HIV. If
25% of those living with HIV don't even know it and therefore transmitting the
disease, then this is set to increase if we cannot get our patients on board to
treatment, risks and benefits, options etc. If 1 person with HIV costs the NHS £100,000 per lifetime, then surely it
would be prudent to support patients take responsibility for their own health
and for the greater public health. Pharmacist, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS
Foundation Trust
I think provision of
free information and advice around HIV and STI's (including these great
resources!) should be a key cornerstone of a proactive, Government led Public
Health policy and should be properly funded at all times. Health Adviser, Chelsea
and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust