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HIV services at Christmas and the New Year
You might find that Christmas and the New Year provides a welcome mid-winter break, but it is also possible that you encounter problems over the holiday period. This Factsheet provides some information on how to overcome some common difficulties experienced over the Christmas period and gives details of some specialist HIV and other helplines that can offer advice and support.
HIV clinics
Although you should check details with your own clinic, it is likely that all specialist HIV treatment centers will close on the afternoon of Friday 23rd December and will not reopen until Wednesday 28th December, closing again for the New Year holiday on 30th December and reopening on 3rd January. It is therefore important to make sure that you have enough medication to last you over the holiday period as obtaining further supplies is likely to be very difficult. Get in touch with your clinic now if you think you need to see your doctor or need more supplies of medicine. If you need medical help you should contact your GP, or in an emergency go to your hospital casualty department.
HIV services
You are likely to find that all HIV services provided by both local authorities and the voluntary sector will close early on Christmas Eve, and will not reopen until the 28th December at the earliest. In addition, the New Year break will mean early closing on 30th December until the morning of 3rd January. However, you may find that many services will close on Christmas Eve and remain shut until 3rd January and even when service providers are open between Christmas and the New Year they may be able to offer little more than a very basic service. If you use HIV services enquire before the holiday period what their opening times will be.
Benefits and money
Benefit offices will also close for Christmas and the New Year and if you are entitled to benefits over the holiday period these will be paid in advance. It is important to budget your money, as you will not be entitled to any further payments until after the New Year.
Everyday issues
Many people, regardless of their HIV status, find Christmas a difficult time to cope with. You may find that being HIV-positive either makes these problems worse or creates additional ones. Adherence to your HIV treatments might be more difficult, particularly if you find that your normal routine is interrupted or disrupted in some way. In addition, spending time with family members who do not know you are HIV-positive can make taking your medication difficult. You might find that NAM's Factsheet Adherence Tips and the NAM booklet Adheremce helpful. You can download both of these from NAM's website www.aidsmap.com, or free copies are available by calling 020 7840 0050.
Depression and loneliness are also common problems at Christmas. Depression is relatively common amongst people with HIV and although drinking large amounts of alcohol and taking drugs may seem to offer a short-term escape, they will probably make things worse.
Support and helplines
Although most face-to-face services will be closed, many HIV specific and other telephone helplines are open over the holiday period. Some are open as normal whilst others operate on reduced hours. Details of some are listed below. Please note that they may have reduced opening times, or be closed completely, over the holiday period.
HIV i-Base Treatment Phoneline
0808 800 6013
Information on HIV treatments. Open Monday to Wednesday 12pm - 4pm.
Closed Christmas week, and part of the first week of the New Year, but urgent treatment information requests will be answered by email, info@i-base.org.uk.
NHS Direct
0845 4647
A service which provides 24 hour confidential health information. It is open everyday of the year.
Refugee Council
020 7346 6777
Advice line open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 am -1pm and 2pm to 5pm. The Refugee Council is the largest organization in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. Christmas and New Year closures.
The Samaritans
0845 790 9090
The Samaritans are open 24 hours every day of the year. The Samaritans are available to anybody who is going through a personal crisis and thinking of taking their life or are lonely or depressed and feel that they have no one else to turn to for support.
Sexual Healthline
0800 567 123
Formerly the National AIDS Helpline. This is a 24 hour national phoneline and will be open throughout the holiday period offering confidential advice, information and referrals on all aspects of sexual health and HIV to anyone.
THT Direct
0845 1221 200
THT Direct is a specialist HIV telephone and information and advice service provided by the Terrence Higgins Trust. THT Direct is open 10am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 12noon to 6pm at weekends.
Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and the Bank Holidays with restricted opening times on other days over the Christmas period. An answerphone message will give emergency contact details at these times.