HIV

What we do

We offer a range of treatment and services to people who are living with HIV.

Mpox update – 18 October 2024

A recent outbreak of the mpox virus (previously known as monkeypox) in west, central and east Africa has led to the World Health Organisation declaring a public health emergency of international concern.

Mpox vaccine

We are able to offer the mpox vaccine to both gay/bisexual men and transgender women who have sex with men.

Vaccines are by appointment only. We currently offer them on Monday and Friday afternoons, at the Camberwell Sexual Health Centre. If you would like a vaccine, please contact us to book an appointment.

We will offer you two doses of the vaccine. The second dose is offered from two months after the first dose.

What do I do if I think I have mpox or have been exposed?

Call a sexual health clinic or NHS 111 if you have a rash with blisters, anal pain or bleeding from your bottom and have either:

• been in close contact, including sexual contact, with someone who has or might have mpox (even if they’ve not been tested yet) in the past 3 weeks
• had one or more new sexual partners who have been to west, central or east Africa in the past three weeks
• been to west, central or east central Africa in the past three weeks

Stay at home and avoid close contact with other people, including sharing towels or bedding, until you’ve been told what to do.

Call the sexual health clinic before visiting

Tell the person you speak to if you’ve had close contact with someone who has or might have mpox, or if you’ve recently travelled to an affected area of Africa.

New patient appointments

We offer face-to-face appointments to people who are newly diagnosed. If you have had a positive HIV test, you can refer yourself to us by emailing [email protected]. In the email please include your name, contact details, date of birth, and the date that you took the test. Your GP or other healthcare provider can also refer you.

Medication

Call the Caldecot pharmacy on 020 3299 3851 or email [email protected] to arrange repeat prescriptions. We will ensure that all patients have a continuous supply of medication, either by home delivery or by collection from the King’s pharmacy. When requesting or collecting medication, please ensure you have your hospital number.

COVID-19 vaccination

All people living with HIV are eligible for a priority COVID-19 vaccine within Tier 6 (people with underlying medical conditions). We recommend the vaccine for all of our patients. All available COVID vaccines are safe for people living with HIV and do not interact with medications.

People living with HIV are being invited to get the vaccine through their GP or Primary Care networks. Patients who have not yet been vaccinated can self-book online on the NHS website.

Emergency clinic

We no longer run a walk-in service, and emergency appointments will be triaged by phone. If you are registered with us for your HIV care, call 020 3299 5000 to book an emergency triage appointment in the telephone callback clinic and speak to a doctor for advice. You will be booked into a face-to-face slot as necessary. For very serious or life threatening emergencies, call 999 or go to the emergency department (A and E).

Appointments with a doctor

If you have an appointment with a doctor, it will be carried out by phone as long as it is clinically safe to do so. If you have an appointment in the coming days or weeks, you will receive a text reminder stating whether your appointment is by phone or face-to-face.

Routine screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

If you need a routine sexual health check-up, complete your sexual health testing by ordering a home testing kit.

STI symptoms

If you have symptoms of an STI, see the Camberwell Sexual Health Centre page.

Other services we offer

We provide:

• regular follow-up appointments with doctors and nurses
• antiretroviral treatment
• sexual health screening, smear tests and contraceptive advice for people living with HIV
• counselling and health advice
• dietitian appointments
• vaccinations for Hepatitis B (HBV) and human papilloma virus (HPV)
• an antenatal clinic with a specialist midwife for HIV-positive women who are pregnant
• a family clinic for children and adolescents with HIV and their parents
• a young persons HIV clinic
• specialist clinics for people with HIV and tuberculosis (TB), liver problems such as hepatitis, neurological problems and a psychiatry liaison referral service
• a medical gynaecology service for women living with HIV
• advice and support on social and welfare issues
• results by email or phone for routine blood tests

Appointment-only clinic times

• Monday: 9am to 5pm
• Tuesday: 9am to 7.30pm
• Wednesday: 12.45pm to 7.30pm
• Thursday: 8am to 5pm
• Friday: 8am to 5pm

The emergency clinic has booked appointments running from 10.30am to 11.30am (2.30pm to 3.30pm on Wednesdays). These are no longer walk-in but booked via telephone triage. If you call regarding booking an emergency appointment a doctor will call you back between 9.30am and 10.30am (1.30pm to 2.30pm on Wednesdays).

Caldecot Pharmacy opening times

• Monday: 9am to 5.30pm (closed 1pm to 2pm)
• Tuesday: 9am to 5.30pm (closed 1pm to 2pm)
• Wednesday: 1pm to 5.30pm
• Thursday: 8am to 5.30pm (closed 1pm to 2pm)
• Friday: 9am to 4.30pm (closed 1pm to 2pm)

We are closed on bank (public) holidays.

HIV Treatment Information Base has more information about HIV and its treatment.

Information leaflets

For more information about a wide range of sexual health issues, visit www.fpa.org.uk.

Research

King’s HIV Research Centre is a leader in research into HIV-associated kidney disease in the UK. It has a number of clinical trials and observational studies in which patients are encouraged to participate.

Sexual health records

The way we store sexual health information is changing, find out more information.

Locations

Caldecot Centre

Our main location is on the King’s College Hospital campus:

Ground floor, Caldecot Centre, 15 to 22 Caldecot Road, London, SE5 9RS

Other locations

We also hold follow-up clinics and blood appointments at health centres in Lambeth and Southwark. If you would like have your appointments at one of these sites, please phone our main reception, or discuss this with your doctor or nurse at your next appointment.

Tessa Jowell Health Centre, East Dulwich

Weekly doctor-led clinic every Thursday morning

Hurley and Riverside Practice, Vauxhall

• Monthly nurse-led clinic on Thursday mornings
• 3-monthly doctor-led clinic on Wednesday afternoons

Paxton Green Health Centre, Gipsy Hill

• Monthly nurse-led clinic on Tuesday mornings
• 3-monthly doctor-led clinic on Wednesday afternoons

Clapham Family Practice, Clapham High Street

• Monthly nurse-led clinic on Thursday mornings
• 3-monthly doctor-led clinic on Wednesday afternoons

Contact Details

• Main Reception: 020 3299 5000
• Appointment cancellations email: [email protected]
• Specialist pharmacy: 020 3299 3851