Back in the 1980s the UK Governmentalong with a whole host of other countries introduced a lifetime ban on blood donations by men who have sex with men (MSM) in response to the emergence and fear created around the AIDS pandemic. This blanket ban remained in place in Northern Ireland until as recently as 2016 when the then Health Minister, …
New cases are down, but stigma remains the underlying challenge this World AIDS Day
The latest statistics for HIV in Northern Ireland are in and its really encouraging news. There has been a noticeable decrease in the number of new cases for the 2019-year, some fantastic news to cap a tricky year for HIV support services. During 2019, there were 52 new diagnoses of HIV in NI, down from 84 recorded the previous year. …
Do you talk to your dentist about your sex life?
Do you talk to your dentist about your sex life? At Positive Life we know that a HIV diagnosis is not the death sentence it once was, however, we also know that the uniquely associated stigma and ignorance around the condition is still alive and thriving in Northern Ireland. A recent incident experienced by one of our service users goes …
COVID-19
Over the weekend the reaction to COVID-19 has increased with further statements and decisions likely to be made in the coming days. It is a worrying time for all. On a practical level, we at Positive Life have taken all necessary precautions to ensure that we are providing a safe environment, adhering to health & safety recommendations, including regularly and …
Marking Sexual Health Week 2020
This Sexual Health Week we are calling for greater emphasis to be placed on Relationship and Sex Education in schools, to create knowledge and understanding about sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. More often than not, sex education at second and third level education teaches the basic elements, but fails to place an emphasis on maintaining good sexual health. This …
Supporting our Service Users navigate the complexity of support payments
Changes to the welfare benefits system over the past year has given cause for great concern from many who are partially or wholly reliant on support payments. The move to universal payments and the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in particular is one area that service users with us at Positive Life have highlighted issues around time and again. We have …
Infected Blood Payment Scheme – Greater compensation needed
Earlier this week the new Health Minister, Robin Swann, announced compensation for those who are living with NHS-supplied infected blood from the 1970s and 1980s after the Finance Minister Conor Murphy allocated monitoring round funding to the Department of Health. We welcomed this announcement as an indication from the newly restored Executive of their commitment to support those who were …
World AIDS Day 2019
This coming Sunday (1st December) marks World AIDS Day – The annual day for action and reflection for those people around the globe who are living with HIV or AIDS. At Positive Life we are working harder than ever to raise awareness of the now lifelong condition in Northern Ireland. However, we are doing that in a social environment that …
JOB: Business Development and Services Manager
We are recruiting for the role of Business Development and Service Manager. Closing date for applications is 21st November at noon. For more information click Business Development Manager To apply please contact drew@positivelife.com
HIV and Mental Health in Northern Ireland
Today is World Mental Health Day, a day to reflect on how mental health awareness has changed over the years consider what more we can all do, as a society for those who live with mental health issues. According to statistics, around 20% of the Northern Ireland population have or have had a mental health problem in their lives, and …