HIV

What we do

During the coronavirus outbreak, where possible we will offer telephone appointments to people who are registered with the Caldecot Centre. We continue to offer face-to-face appointments where telephone follow-up is felt to be less appropriate. We are also offering video consultations.

If you are asked to attend the clinic please wear a face covering. You should not come if you develop symptoms of coronavirus, or if you have had contact with someone who has confirmed or suspected coronavirus.

People living with HIV should continue to follow general health advice regarding the outbreak. Please go to the gov.uk website for the most current government advice.

COVID-19 vaccine
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-19 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.

Monkeypox update
Some monkeypox symptoms, such as ulcers and rashes, may also be seen with some sexually transmitted infections. For this reason if you have these symptoms please:

• tell reception staff on arrival, so you can be seen by the most appropriate clinician
• cover any rashes, blisters or ulcers anywhere on your body until you see the clinician.

For the latest information on monkeypox, including symptoms, go to the GOV.UK website.

Monkeypox vaccination
There are currently limited supplies of the vaccine available nationally. To make the best use of current supplies and to help stop the spread of the virus, the NHS is prioritising vaccination for people at higher risk of very close or frequent contact with someone with monkeypox. To see if you are eligible go to: Monkeypox: waiting for your vaccination.

As vaccine supplies become available, we are sending text messages to eligible people, who have previously attended our services at Camberwell Sexual Health Centre, the Caldecot Centre or Beckenham Beacon Sexual Health Centre, inviting them to book their vaccine appointment. Please do not attend for vaccination unless you have an appointment. Due to low vaccine supplies, we are regrettably unable to provide a vaccine unless you have an appointment.

Blood test appointments
We are currently running blood test appointments as usual. In the event of further COVID restrictions, we may postpone your blood test appointment if it is safe to do so. A member of clinical staff will decide if your test can be safely postponed and contact you by phone.

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 self-refer by emailing kch-tr.SexualHealthSecretaries@nhs.net. 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 kch-tr.SexualHealthPharmacists@nhs.net 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.

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 A&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.

Alongside doctor appointments at the Caldecot Centre, we hold HIV follow-up clinics and blood appointments at the following off-site locations:

• Tessa Jowell Health Centre, East Dulwich (Thursday 9am to 12.30pm every week)
• Hurley and Riverside Practice, Vauxhall (Thursday 4pm to 7pm, every 3 months)
• Paxton Green Health Centre, Gipsy Hill (Wednesday 4pm to 7pm, every 3 months)
• Clapham Green Health Centre, Clapham (Thursday 9am to 11.30am every 3 months)

If you wish to be seen at one of these sites, please speak to reception on 020 3299 5000 or discuss with your doctor or nurse at your next appointment.

Dietitian appointments
Our dietitian currently provides a choice of face-to-face or telephone appointments. In the event of further COVID restrictions, appointments will move to telephone only.

Vaccinations for Hepatitis B (HBV) and human papilloma virus (HPV)
We are currently providing vaccinations for Hepatitis B and HPV as usual. In the event of further COVID restrictions some routine vaccination appointments may be postponed. If you are unsure, call 020 3299 5000 for advice.

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.

About the Caldecot Centre

At the Caldecot Centre we offer:

• specialist services for newly diagnosed patients
• regular follow-up appointments with doctors and nurses
• an emergency service for urgent HIV-related problems (subject to telephone triage)
• antiretroviral treatment
• sexual health screening, smear tests and contraceptive advice for people living with HIV
• counselling and health advice
• nutrition and dietary advice
• a specialist pharmacy for HIV drugs and other essential medication
• 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 and search for 'leaflet and booklet downloads'.

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.

Location

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

Contact Details

• Main Reception: +44 (0)20 3299 5000
• Appointment cancellations email: kch-tr.caldecotcancellation@nhs.net
• Specialist pharmacy: +44 (0)20 3299 3851

Conditions we treat

The Caldecot Centre is a dedicated clinic that serves the social and welfare needs of people living with HIV, whether they are newly diagnosed, stable on medication, have symptoms or have HIV-related complications.

Services include regular appointments with clinicians, as well as HIV testing and counselling provided by trained professionals.

An on-site pharmacy provides rapid access to drug dispensing for our patients.

We have a dedicated ward team for the care of patients with HIV who need to be admitted to hospital.

We run specialist antenatal clinics attended by a specialist midwife for women with HIV. We also run a specialist paediatric clinic for families with HIV and their children.

Other clinics include those for people with HIV and liver problems, neurological problems, tuberculosis (TB), contraceptive issues or problems with antiretroviral treatment.

Booking a patient at King's

Routine Referrals

We will contact referrals within two working days and offer them an appointment within five working days.

Please complete the referral form below or write a referral letter and email it to kch-tr.SexualHealthSecretaries@nhs.net

Patients are welcome to self-refer to the service if they have had a positive HIV test.

To discuss referrals, contact:

• Dr Elizabeth Hamlyn, Clinical lead, tel: 020 3299 4535
• Julie Baker, HIV Clinical Nurse Specialist, tel: 020 3299 3707 / 07890 251264
• For South East London GPs, a consultant is available for advice during working hours via the Consultant Connect

Emergency Referrals

For emergency inpatient referrals, call 020 3299 9000 and ask for the specialist registrar to be bleeped on 515.

Other Queries

For information about antiretroviral drug interactions, contact our specialist pharmacy team on 020 3299 3851.

Referral Forms

Please complete the relevant form and note any pre-consultation investigations required:

• HIV positive patient referral form

Key Clinical Staff