Introduction to NHS HIV health services

In the UK, nearly all NHS HIV treatment and care is provided by specialist hospital clinics. Because HIV in this country has mainly (but not exclusively) been passed on through sex, HIV healthcare services in the UK developed through, and are often provided by, genitourinary medicine (GUM) and sexual health clinics. In some parts of the UK, infectious disease or immunology departments developed into specialist HIV clinics. HIV clinics may also be provided through haematology units for people with haemophilia, drug dependency units for injecting drug users, and specialist children’s hospitals.

Many HIV treatment centres are in London. This is because the majority of people with HIV in the UK live in London. However, there are hospitals offering HIV treatment and care in all the major cities in the UK.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.