The BBV MCN was established in 2010 and is a virtual network that links healthcare professionals, patients/carers and organisations (NHS and non-NHS) to plan and provide high quality BBV services that are available to everyone living with a Blood Borne Virus in Ayrshire and Arran.
What the MCN can do for you?
Key point of contact for BBV issues and queries, for example testing, referrals and treatment.
- Signpost to key services that may be helpful to your patients;
- practical support and guidance for you and your patients, for example, guidelines, resource pack, information leaflets, local and national strategy documents;
- provision of data to support patient care and to help with audit projects;
- education and training for you and your patients;
- give you opportunities to influence BBV service developments.
BBV (Blood Borne Virus) clinical service
The Ayrshire and Arran Blood Borne Virus Service is based at University Hospital Crosshouse. The BBV unit within the hospital was purpose-built in 2011 and offers a confidential, holistic service for all those affected by a BBV. The unit was designed to provide the best level of care while allowing the service user to feel comfortable, relaxed and safe in the knowledge that they are being treated by a specialist team who has the patient’s welfare at the heart of everything they do. The unit provides specialist treatment and assessment for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. This includes Specialist Dietetic input, Specialist Pharmacy input, FibroScans, sexual health screens and condoms, vaccinations and the most appropriate medication regimens available.
Referral to BBV service
Initial referral to the Ayrshire and Arran BBV Service is generally through GP/Addiction Services/In and Out-patient services. Referrals are accepted from all avenues. Referrals are accepted by the Consultant and also by the Clinical Nurse Specialists. Once patients are referred to the service, they are assessed for the most suitable treatment options or monitored closely on a regular basis. Should patients develop any new symptoms or are concerned about any changes in their condition then we ask that they contact us directly. If the changes are as a result of side-effects associated with BBV treatment, support should be sought from the patients GP.
BBV testing
Blood borne viruses remain a very under-diagnosed group of infections – it is estimated that a quarter of people with HIV and two-thirds of people with Hepatitis C are unaware of their infections. If people are diagnosed earlier, treatment is often more successful and onward transmission could be prevented.
Testing is available in a range of different settings including GP practices, Sexual Health clinics, Addiction services. These are all detailed in NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s BBV Testing Guideline
Contact us
Emma Walker, Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Programme Manager, emma.walker@aapct.scot.nhs.uk | 01292 885852.
BBV Clinical Service (including Dietician and Pharmacist), Kerry Gallagher, BBV Personal Secretary, kerry.gallagher@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk | 01563 545508
Addiction Services (BBV Community Addiction Team), Alex Adam Specialist Pharmacist in Substance Misuse and BBV Prevention Lead (SPiSM), alexander.adam@aapct.scot.nhs.uk. | 01563 826450.
Health Promotion for BBV and Sexual Health, Zoe Kelly, Health Promotion Officer, zoe.kelly@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk | 01292 885913.