Everybody with HIV needs to go to a specialist HIV clinic to get the best possible treatment and care. It’s also important that people with HIV have a GP and from time to time you’ll probably have to see another health specialist.

Some of the best HIV care in the world is available free of charge in the UK's National Health Service (NHS) from healthcare workers who are dedicated to making sure that people with HIV receive the treatment and care they need, regardless of their background.

In fact, many healthcare workers were attracted to working in HIV because they come from, or care about, the communities affected by HIV.

On top of this, healthcare professionals work to codes of ethics to make sure that their personal prejudices don’t interfere in the kind of treatment they offer their patients.

There are also very strict rules about the confidentiality of medical records. It’s only in exceptional circumstances that people can see your medical records without you first agreeing.

Also, the DDA makes it illegal to discriminate against people with HIV in health care.

But there are occasions when healthcare workers don’t meet these high standards. Sometimes it’s a simple mistake or oversight, or ignorance, but sadly it can be because a healthcare worker is prejudiced.

Whatever the reason, it’s unacceptable and you can challenge it. However, if you’re ill or need treatment or care, the last thing you may want to do is complain.

Complaining can be emotionally and physically draining and the process can take time with no guarantee of a satisfactory result. Try and get the support or loved ones or friends. Also, tell an HIV organisation about what you’ve experienced, as there’s a good chance that there’ll be one that can help you make a complaint and offer practical and emotional support.

If you can try and remain calm and open-minded about the incident. It might be that the person didn’t mean any offence or that you misinterpreted their words or actions. If you fear prejudice or discrimination it can sometimes be possible to misinterpret quite innocent episodes.

A good first step might be to ask somebody why they said or did something. But if a person’s response isn’t satisfactory, or if you are very upset or distressed about their behaviour, then it might be necessary to speak to their manager or make a formal complaint.

There are well-established complaint procedures in the NHS. The standard of care you receive should not be affected because you are making a complaint. There’s information on how to make a complaint later in this booklet.

If your healthcare provider doesn’t handle your complaint to your satisfaction, then you can take it to a higher level, for example the doctor’s or nurse’s professional or regulatory organisation.

The General Medical Council is where you make formal complaints about serious professional misconduct by doctors. Their telephone number is 0845 357 0020.  www.gmc-uk.org

If you want to make a serious complaint about a dentist, then you need to contact the General Dental Council. Their telephone number if 020 7887 3800. www.gdc-uk.org