History

Leadership, evidence and responsiveness are essential in meeting these challenges. HIV Scotland seeks to lead, represent and support others to challenge these issues, using the authority of a collective response alongside expertise in health promotion and community participation.

HIV Scotland was set up as the Scottish Voluntary HIV and AIDS Forum in September 1994, a crucial stage in the development of Scotland’s response to HIV, some 12 years into the epidemic. It was another two years before the first reports of the benefits of combination therapy were reported. The organisation’s establishment by leading figures in the voluntary and HIV sectors was a response to the Scottish Office AIDS Task Force call for improved provision and coordination of services. Others, however, had already pioneered responses to HIV and AIDS.

1983

• Community activists led by Derek Ogg set up the Scottish AIDS Monitor (SAM)
• Outbreak of HIV among IV drug users in Edinburgh: over 60% infected in 6 months

1987

• First needle exchange set up in Edinburgh

1988

• Methadone substitute prescribing introduced in Edinburgh

1989

• Dundee and Glasgow follow Edinburgh's lead and introduce needle exchanges. They open to public controversy, with video camera surveillence and violence
• Waverley Care set up and Milestone House opens as UK’s first purpose-built AIDS hospice

1991

• Demonstration outside the Scottish Office demanding action

1995

• SAM closes, replaced in Glasgow by PHACE Scotland, in Inverness by Reach Out Highland
• Scottish Voluntary HIV and AIDS Forum ("The Forum") established (predecessor to HIV Scotland)
• ‘Evolving Strategy’ recommends targetted prevention, paving way for new initiatives

1996

• Gay Men’s Health emerges in Edinburgh and eventually takes on SAM’s outreach work
• Combination therapy results in first successes treating HIV, termed the Lazarus effect
• 'Services for Gay and Bisexual Men in Scotland’ report published (Roy Kilpatrick)
• Healthy Gay Scotland (HGS)- the first national gay men's health promotion collaboration led by The Forum

1997

• First national billboard campaign across Scotland to promote HGS
• Devolution: successive ministers lead on HIV including Sam Galbraith (pre-devolution), Susan Deacon, Malcolm Chisholm, Andy Kerr, and Shona Robison

2000

• ‘Review of HIV Health Promotion Strategies’ is published, having been recommended by HIV Scotland and accepted at its AGM by health minister

2005

• Establishment of the committee to explore sexual health and HIV services etc, HIV Scotland takes lead role and recommends ministerial leadership rather than ‘Sexual Health Tsar’. Strategy accepted when 'Respect and Responsibility’ is published and Kerr sets up the National Sexual Health Advisory Committee

2007

• African and Minority Ethnic HIV Project set up by HIV Scotland.

2008

• Report of national HIV treatments needs assessment: HIV Scotland, with the committee, advocates for standards development and setting up MCNs (Managed Care Networks)
• Discussions re a prevention plan with Scottish Government results in an integrated HIV Action Plan, based on the HIV Scotland recommendation from the International AIDS Conference in Mexico
• Establishment of African Country Associations Health Forum

2009

• HIV Action Plan launched.

How HIV Scotland has responded

One of HIV Scotland’s achievements is the way that the organisation has responded to the changing face of HIV. This has been done by being:

Rooted in the voluntary sector

Allowing close contact with the community and people living with HIV

Consultative

Engaging with partner agencies from across the HIV sector and supporting other charities

Innovative

HIV Scotland responded to the lack of national support for gay men by setting up Healthy Gay Scotland, and to an emerging epidemic through the African & Minority Ethnic HIV Project

Evidence informed

Research and conferences have drawn on and disseminated expertise

Strategic

Working at high levels nationally and regionally to plan and deliver the best for people living with HIV