Addressing health and social care needs in the community for people with HIV/AIDS

This article reports the findings of a survey of 382 users of HIV services in one health authority area of London, undertakento form the basis for needs-based planning. It reports needs, access to services, levels of use, satisfaction, and gaps. Acharacteristic pattern of service use is described, which centres around the HIV clinic, and which affects the way care is managed. This pattern is likely to be affected by the introduction of resident based funding. The integration and specialisation of services remain problematic areas. There remains an urgent need for GP's and housing to be better integrated into the framework of health and social care. A dilemma exists between the preference of users for specialist services and the need to mainstream services and ensure their financial security. Keywords: AIDS, HIV, needs based planning, health needs, social care needs, community care, case management, integration