80% (57) of respondents to the follow up questionnaire set themselves action points as a result of attending the workshops. 96% achieved at least one of their action points. Only two people said they had not carried out any of their action points. Each of these had evaluated ‘Treatment and trials’ and set themselves the following:
Check out a couple of websites
I want to supply and teach about condoms
Of those who had completed action points, participants achieved an average of three per person:
Found out what my clinic is doing on PPI
I've looked up a few internet sites
I have represented newly diagnosed people
I accessed more information about herbal medicines.
PPI: I helped my local authority to know more about HIV
Raised issue about criminalisation within support groups
More confident in approaching co-infection treatment
Stayed on treatment but changed one drug
Discussed need for criminalisation policy with local HIV support agency
I reviewed the MedFASH standards for use in my health care
I wrote to my MP about criminalisation
Disseminated information on treatment and trial.
I talked to my doctor
I have broken down the sexual health strategy for more people to understand
I informed people about advances in medication and life expectancy
I read more about medications
In the follow up questionnaire, participants were also reminded about the overall action points they had set themselves at the end of the conference. 80% of participant’s overall conference action points were known to have been achieved (147 actions) and some had some additional points:
Started a course locally for all newly diagnosed people
Have applied for jobs but feel ageism is prevalent
Two out of three isn’t bad!
Been involved in work to map patient experiences and pathways.
I have been volunteering and would like to go back to work and also will have a child in the future
Finding out more about alternative therapies
Now sit on HIV forum and I host awareness sessions for a youth group
88% (63) of participants had been in touch with someone they met at the conference:
Met people I now count as very special friends
Use the internet & phone to keep in touch
Made some excellent contacts
Have made one really good friend.
Have made friends & employed one delegate!
50% (36) of participants had joined a network as a result of the conference.
Got involved with LTS group
Got involved in the new Scottish network
With Africans Getting Involved and others
Networking with Dutch BTW programme was facilitated as a direct result of networking at the conference
Joined Pos Nation readers panel
Briefly went to a gay men's HIV group at UKC
Wales HIV network
Women's network
Joined Living Stories group
African's Getting Involved (AGI)
Started Changing Scotland network
Formed local writing group with others from conf
Joined NLTSG - Excellent!
Two South London groups
Two sessions at THT, would not have done prior
Joined UKC
Move on to Participants' Messages to Government