In order to help plan the next conference and understand why people booked but did not attend, 62 people living with HIV were contacted and asked to say why they were unable to attend. People were also asked if we the organisers could have done anything to help them attend. A third of those not attending were newly diagnosed.
Responses were received from 29 people. The reasons people said they were not able to attend were as follows:
Not well |
Didn’t receive the information |
Illness or death of relative |
Unable to get time off work |
Other |
Couldn’t afford it |
31% (9) |
28% (8) |
14% (4) |
10% (3) |
10% (3) |
7% (2) |
Around a third of those who did not attend were unwell at the time of the conference and not all illnesses were in relation to HIV:
I had heart surgery in June and unfortunately I had some problems on the Friday prior to the conference
I had just started treatment for hepatitis C and unfortunately had underestimated the physical effects
I was in withdrawal from changes made to my medication. I did not think it would be so bad
I was ill with salmonella poisoning
All the information was sent to participants at the end of July as stated in the application pack. As it got nearer the time as some people called to ask if they had a place and it became clear that not everyone had received the details that had been posted. As a result of this about a third of those not attending said it was because they did not know they had a place at the conference.
The majority of people said there was nothing we could have done. Some mentioned things that were actually available (contact by email, providing help with travel, booking rail tickets etc) and some highlighted all that had been done:
You did everything to my satisfaction and I am actually disappointed that I was not able to come. Thank you for giving me the chance to explain
No, I was very satisfied with the conference arrangements and really sorry that I couldn’t manage to attend
There was nothing anyone could have done. I am enclosing the rail tickets in case you can get a refund
Of those saying other, the following comments were made:
I really wanted to attend the conference with my baby and my partner promised to attend with me but unfortunately he changed his mind. I thought I would feel lonely if I went on my own
I really wanted to come but I had to be at another appointment
I was actually on my way when my bag was stolen at the station. I was looking forward to attending and can only apologise again