HIV service

We’re changing how we store and share your health information and this affects your HIV records.

From September 2025, we’re improving the way we manage medical records across Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust – including your HIV clinic notes.

Right now, information we record in relation to your HIV care is stored in a separate system from the rest of your hospital records. Your blood results, imaging, and notes from other services may sit in different places. This means staff sometimes need to ask you the same questions more than once, or they might not see the full picture of your care. This doesn’t allow us to deliver the best care – especially in an emergency.

To make things safer and more joined-up, we’re moving to a new system which brings your information together into one secure Electronic Patient Record (EPR).

What’s changing?

Your HIV clinic notes and test results will now be recorded in the same electronic system as the rest of your hospital care.

Your appointments and prescriptions will still be managed through the HIV clinic’s usual system.

This change will not affect what your GP can see. GPs already use the London Care Record to view hospital test results, but they won’t see your HIV clinic letters unless you’ve agreed to share that information.

Why is this change happening?

This move to a single system follows national guidance and helps improve patient safety. Other HIV clinics in east London have already made the change. Keeping all your hospital information in one place:

Helps doctors support you better if you’re seen outside of the HIV clinic.

Makes it quicker and easier to access your latest test results in emergencies.

Reduces the chances of missed information, duplicated tests or prescribing errors.

Your confidentiality matters

We know that HIV care is sensitive, and protecting your privacy is essential.

Only staff directly involved in your care are allowed to access your notes.

Information such as sexual health details and test results will continue to be stored on the HIV clinic’s usual system.

Staff outside the sexual health team cannot access this sensitive information.

The system tracks every time a record is accessed.

This approach is backed by national advice from BHIVA (British HIV Association), which supports information sharing only when it protects your safety and privacy. You can read more about this at: bhiva.org/information-sharing

Your choices and your rights

You have the right to ask how your information is used and who can access it.

You can choose not to share your data for anything beyond your direct care (such as planning or research). Learn more at: www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters

We recommend that our patients let us communicate with their GP about their HIV care to ensure they receive safe and thorough treatment, especially if they are involved in managing other health conditions.

Need help or want to talk?

Please speak to your usual HIV clinic doctor or nurse if you have any concerns. You can also contact the hospital’s PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service):