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Busting the myths – the History of HIV podcast

Drew Dalton, a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University Of Sunderland, releases a new podcast – the History of HIV – part of the Sunderland Talks podcast series.

Drew Dalton
Drew Dalton

THE History of HIV podcast aims to give a brief overview of the history of HIV and AIDS in the West, its origins and development, the social effects of it and how those living with the virus are able to live relatively normal lives thanks to the help and medications now available.

Drew has spent the last 15 plus years in campaigning and community work as both a paid staff member and volunteer, working alongside a wide range of adults and young people. He has set up two community organisations outside of his work: Thrive NE, an HIV organisation for those living with HIV in the North East of England, as well as LGBT History Project, which documents the often forgotten lives of LGBT people and which trains teachers in schools and colleges on the issues.

At the University of Sunderland, he has helped to introduce the first HIV policy for staff and is about to launch the first ever Charter Mark for businesses across the UK, which aims to tackle HIV-related stigma in places of employment. His research has highlighted the widespread stigma of HIV in the UK as well as the effects of government austerity measures on HIV organisations that are feeling the impact due to cuts in the sector.

Drew says: “HIV is a unique virus with a unique social history.

“This podcast aims to explore the emergence of the virus and the role of stigma in the early days, including the remarkable breakthroughs that we have seen in recent years which have radically changed people’s lives.

“HIV is no longer (in the West) deadly to most people, but it does have a stigma around it that still needs to be tackled and discussed if we are ever going to make further progress.”

To listen to the podcast, view: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/explore/

The podcasts are also available to download or stream on iTunes and Spotify.

New research on the Faster Diagnosis Standard for Cancer

New research from the University of Surrey finds that GPs will have a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the new Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) for Cancer.

IN the first study of its kind, published in the British Journal of General Practice and funded by Cancer Research UK, researchers investigated public attitudes towards the new FDS for Cancer. Scheduled to be introduced in England next year, this new standard will give patients a diagnosis or all-clear for cancer within 28 days of referral with suspected cancer.

Conducting focus group sessions in Bradford and Guildford, with participants who in the last six months had undergone diagnostic tests for cancer and received results, researchers identified a degree of scepticism amongst the groups about how the new standard would work. Many participants had experienced swift referrals for diagnostic testing but encountered a delay when receiving test results and were unsure about how the FDS would rectify this.

Concern existed amongst participants that the FDS may ultimately extend waiting times and could become more of a ‘tick box’ exercise, with one participant noting: ‘So what happens is that as soon as 28 days appears anywhere that becomes the standard, rather than the last resort, so when suddenly you go, well we’ve got 28 days, we’ll give them a … we’ll get in touch with them in three weeks’ time […].’

Participants also described a lack of transparency in the referral process and were apprehensive about getting lost in the system. This feeling was exacerbated by not knowing what to expect and/or being unable to draw upon past experiences due to inconsistency between one referral and the next.

Additionally, researchers found that participants valued reassurance and support from their GP as highly as a speedy referral. A feeling of being listened to by a GP was found to be important to participants when being referred for diagnostic tests.

A participant noted: ‘Being listened to I think, so it’s being heard and my GP was fine, has really really been… it was really quick, it couldn’t have been quicker, but it was feeling… I suppose it’s being listened to and then almost like being believed.’

Dr Katriina Whitaker
Dr Katriina Whitaker

Dr Katriina Whitaker, Reader in Cancer Care at the University of Surrey, said: “The new FDS for Cancer is an important step in diagnosing cancer earlier and faster. However we have found that although patients value a speedy referral there are other factors that they regard as just as important.

“Simple steps such as informing patients about the diagnostic testing and referral processes and about time scales will help patients better prepare, both physically and emotionally, for the next phase. This will ultimately fall to GPs, who will need clear guidance so they are able to support their patients.”

Dr Jodie Moffat
Dr Jodie Moffat

Dr Jodie Moffat from Cancer Research UK added: “We need to redouble our efforts to reduce the late stage diagnosis of cancer, so that more people survive their disease.

“Reducing late stage diagnosis of cancer requires action on a range of fronts, and we all have a part to play. Ensuring there’s enough workforce in the system – whether that’s in primary care or in hospitals – is vital to achieving our early diagnosis ambitions.”

Community Day at Whitehawk Football Club today

Whitehawk Football Club, working closely with East Brighton community groups and Brighton & Hove City Council, are holding a Community Day before kick off today (Saturday, March 30) from 12.30pm.

THE club play their Bostik League Premier Division game against Bishops Stortford at 3pm and, as a build up to the game, many of East Brighton’s community groups have been invited to attend the Community Day, giving fans and residents a chance to understand their community a little more, as well as sampling some of the many projects, programmes and initiatives that are available to them.

There will be live music from the music students of club sponsors the MET College plus DJs, face-painting, raffles, interactive stalls, information on healthy lifestyles, weight loss and anti-smoking initiatives and much more! The matchday mascots will be from the nearby Whitehawk Estate Crew Club Under 12s, as well as the girls’ teams from local Junior Football Club, the Hollingbury Hawks.

Kevin Miller, Head of Commercial at Whitehawk Football Club, said: “We have worked really hard as a club to change perceptions of what grassroots football can mean to communities, especially within this amazing city, and felt that at this specific time, it was the right thing to do.

“The players, management, club members and our magnificent Ultras welcome those who are visiting for the first time, hope that they forge new friendships, and enjoy the Hawks’ matchday experience at their local club.”


Event: Community Day

When: Saturday, March 30

Time: 12.30pm (kick off 3pm)

Tickets: £10 adults/£5 concessions/free for kids under 10

Book on the day, or view: www.whitehawkfc.com

Tickets for BeefMince go on sale today

With 75 Days to go until Brighton Bear Weekend 2019, tickets for the Saturday club night BeefMince will go on sale tomorrow (Saturday, March 30) at noon.

THIS is BeefMince’s first trip to Brighton and they will bring all the furry fun from Vauxhall to the South Coast.

Bears, otters, cubs, blokes and hunks will dance to DJs Cactushead (Ian Buchan) and Rob C who will be playing top quality dance music – vocal house with big chunky basslines, tech-house and electro-house later on – to keep you mincing until the early hours.

DJ Josh Sharp will be playing in the bar area bringing you a funky vibe with traditional and nu-disco, house and club classics.

Tickets can be bought on online at the Brighton Bear Weekend online shop. Tickets are £10 with wristband and £12 without a wristband. The wristband will not only give you discounts at this event but all BBW club events with discount drink deals and money off in local stores.

Brighton Bear Weekend is on June 13 – 16 with Beefmince at the Rialto Theatre on Saturday, June 15 from 10pm until 5am with last entry at 2am.

Brighton Bear Weekend supports The Rainbow Fund who give grants to LGBT/HIV organisations who deliver effective front line services to LGBT people in the city.

For full lineup of events during Brighton Bear Weekend, click here:

To book tickets online, click here:

 

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