CONFERENCE REPORTS
CONFERENCE REPORTS |
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The fifth annual Cleveland HIV Update organised by the Directorate of Genito Urinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, Middlesbrough took place on Friday, 21st November 2003. It was held at the James Cook University Hospital Post-graduate Education Centre in Middlesbrough and the event was attended by more than 60 delegates from the North East of England. They included hospital consultants; general practitioners, health advisors; midwives; nurses and public health laboratory staff. Professor Rodney Cove-Smith, Chief of Service for the academic division welcomed delegates and introduced the chairmen, Dr Ian Holtby and Dr Sarup Tayal.
The first lecture “HIV Epidemiology” was given by John Harris, Public Health Scientist, Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre, Health Protection Agency, London. His talk highlighted that HIV is a chronic and still stigmatising condition usually with prolonged silent period, making ascertainment difficult so multiple surveillance methods are required. He also pointed out that there are estimated 50,000 people living with HIV in the UK, nearly one third of these are unaware of their infection. He also informed delegates that are more diagnosis of heterosexually acquired infections than homosexually acquired infections, but in most heterosexuals the infection is acquired abroad, often in Africa. The incidence of AIDS and HIV related deaths has been substantially reduced due to improvement of treatment options.
Following this, Dr Brendan McCarron and Dr David Chadwick presented interesting “HIV Case Reports” which highlighted diagnosis, confidentiality, infertility and treatment issues.
After a coffee break Dr McCarron returned to present “HIV and pregnancy – the Teesside Experience”. He informed the delegates that universal voluntary antenatal HIV testing in South Tees is 94% uptake compared to North Tees at 80% and Hartlepool at 60%. The issues regarding undiagnosed mother presenting at delivery, has implications for the baby, mother and hospital staff. Mothers diagnosed during pregnancy have a less than 1% chance of passing th infection onto`the baby.
Dr Terry Flood, Consultant Paediatrician, Immunology and Infectious diseases, Newcastle General Hospital, gave an overview of the “HIV and Pregnancy -Paediatrician Perspective”. He discussed the treatment options available and toxicity of various anti-retroviral drugs, chemo-prophylaxis for PCP and immunisations.
The last lecture, “HIV Treatment Update” was presented by Dr Ed Wilkins, Consultant in Infectious Diseases, North Manchester General Hospital. He highlighted anti-retroviral treatment regime for naives, the future of once daily treatment and new anti-retrovirals - Atazanavir and FTC.
The entire event was well organised with a good range of speakers and audience from medical, nursing and laboratories. As in previous years the event has proved a great success and enjoyed by all.
Dr Sarup Tayal, Consultant in GU/HIV Medicine
The James Cook University Hospital
The Fifth Teesside Sexual Health Conference
Saturday 13 March 2004
08.30am - 4.30pm
Education Centre
The James Cook University Hospital,
Marton Road, Middlesbrough
Delegate Fee £45 per delegate
Lectures Workshops Exhibitions
Topics include
• Fertility Control
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Ethical Issues in Reproductive Health
Workshop themes
• Communication Issues: Let’s Talk about Sex
• Caring for People Living with HIV/AIDS
Suitable for:
Doctors - GU Physicians; Gynaecologists; Paediatricians; Psychiatrists; Clinical Medical Officers; Public Health Officers; General Practitioners
PAM - Clinical Psychologists; Sex Therapists; Health Promotion Officers
Nurses - GU Nurses; Family Planning Nurses; School Nurses; Health Visitors;
Others - Social scientists; Youth Workers; Social Workers; College Students;
For further information please contact Jennifer Donoghue, Conference Manager,
Tel: (01642) 282825. Email jennifer.donoghue@stees.nhs.uk
or Joan Flannigan, Conference Secretary, Tel: (01642) 282551. Email joan.flannigan@stees.nhs.uk
CME & PGEA approved.
©2004 Sexual Health Matters. Published Quarterly by Express
Print Works, Middlesbrough, UK
ISSN 1469-7556
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