56 Dean Street

Last updated

56 Dean Street
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
56 Dean Street.jpg
Greater London UK location map 2.svg
Red pog.svg
56 Dean Street
Geography
Location56 Dean Street, Soho, London, England, W1D 6AQ
Coordinates 51°30′45″N0°07′55″W / 51.5125°N 0.1320°W / 51.5125; -0.1320
Organisation
Care system NHS England
Type Specialist
Services
Speciality Sexual health
Gender dysphoria
History
Former name(s)Outpatient 6
The Victoria Clinic
OpenedMarch 2009 (at current location)
Links
Website www.dean.st

56 Dean Street, based in Dean Street in London's Soho district, is a sexual health clinic. [1] Part of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, it also has a second branch, Dean Street Express, [2] located at 34 Dean Street, which offers a sexual disease testing service. [3] As of 2017, the clinic was the largest HIV clinic in Europe. [4] In addition to its specialism in HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases, it also offers general sexual health care services, including contraception. [2] The clinic also runs TransPlus - the UK’s first integrated NHS gender dysphoria, sexual health and HIV service.

Contents

Services

Primary

56 Dean Street is recognized internationally for its innovation, particularly in regard to its engagement with London's higher-risk communities as well as HIV epidemic management. HIV combination prevention is the multifactorial approach to addressing the HIV epidemic. [5] It includes:

With the result being that new HIV infection rates in London have dropped dramatically since the introduction of these interventions. [1]

Other services

56 Dean Street hosts a variety of talking therapies and sexual well-being services. [8] [9]

As of 2018, limitations on funding have substantially reduced the clinic's ability to offer its services, with significant reductions in the number of appointments available each day. [11]

History

Staff at the 2017 Pride in London march London Pride 2017 (35413584320).jpg
Staff at the 2017 Pride in London march

Dean Street has a long history of providing sexual health services. [12] The world’s first VD (venereal disease) clinic for men was based at 91 Dean Street, London in 1862. Over the years it has had several different names and has been based in different parts of London. Originally it was part of the Westminster Hospital and was known as Outpatient 6. It was at the Westminster Hospital that Professor Brian Gazzard diagnosed one of Europe’s first cases of AIDS in 1981.

In 1993, the Westminster Hospital moved to Fulham Road to become part of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Outpatient 6 was relocated to Vincent Square and the name was changed to the Victoria Clinic. It has been known as 56 Dean Street since it moved to Soho in March 2009.

In 2011, 56 Dean Street set the World Record for most HIV tests performed in one location on World Aids Day at G-A-Y Bar in Soho, London. [12]   In 2014 Dean Street Express was opened, the first clinic in the world to have an on-site Infinity machine, allowing this service to give results within 6 hours.

In 2003, it was the first NHS service to offer rapid 1-hour HIV POC (Point of Care) testing. [12]

In 2018, 56 Dean Street "developed the idea of creating a drama series depicting life of men who have sex with men (MSM) in London". [13] They secured funding through HIV charity Wandsworth Oasis to create three episodes of a series called The Grass Is Always Grindr. These three episodes were released on YouTube and formed the first season of the drama, acting as a pilot for the longer second season. The web series proved popular, "garnering over 180,000 views on YouTube within 4 months of its release". [14] A second season was commissioned in collaboration with Public Health England and has since had over 10 million view on YouTube. [15]

Awards and achievements

In October 2014, the CQC (Care Quality Commission) inspection report stated that "There were effective procedures to support a safe and effective service for patients. Clinical standards were adhered to and patients were appropriately involved in research and drug trials. The environment at clinics was clean and uncluttered. The clinics at 56 Dean Street and Dean Street Express were trendy, modern and bright. One patient representative told us the team had brought 'sexual health and HIV services into the 21 Century'. Patients described the service offered at each of the clinics as 'exceptional', 'caring', 'confidential' and 'quick'. Staff were highly trained and were compassionate and caring. They treated patients with dignity and respect and 'normalised' conversations about sexual health. Staff worked in a multidisciplinary way to centre care around the patient." [16]

2016 data leak scandal

In May 2016, the clinic was fined £180,000 after the details of nearly 800 patients who had visited HIV clinics were leaked in an email. [17] A newsletter issued in 2015 was sent to patients of the clinic, but instead of blind copying patients' email addresses, every recipient was able to view the names and email addresses of other recipients. The scandal caused a lot of emotional distress and alarm, and a full apology was subsequently issued by the director of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of the clinic.

Sexual assault controversy

In February 2018, the Chelsea and Westminster Trust was forced to agree to a settlement with a former patient as a result of sexual assaults perpetrated by a senior nurse during routine appointments at the Dean Street clinic, dating back to 2013. The clinic found itself embroiled in further scandal after it emerged that multiple complaints had been directed to staff members, including senior management but had been either subsequently ignored or dismissed by internal investigations. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual health clinic</span> Medical facility focused on preventing and treating sexually transmitted infections

Sexual health clinics specialize in the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, formerly called St George's Healthcare NHS Trust, is based in Tooting in the London Borough of Wandsworth, and serves a population of 1.3 million across southwest London. A large number of services, such as cardiothoracic medicine and surgery, neurosciences and renal transplantation, also cover significant populations from Surrey and Sussex, totalling about 3.5 million people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention</span> HIV prevention strategy using preventative medication for HIV-negative individuals

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention, commonly known as PrEP, is a form of medication used to prevent HIV infection, the cause of HIV/AIDS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chelsea and Westminster Hospital</span> Hospital in London , England

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is a 430-bed teaching hospital located in Chelsea, London. The hospital has a rich history in that it serves as the new site for the Westminster Hospital. It is operated by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and became a member of Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre in July 2020. The hospital is the central part of Imperial College London Chelsea and Westminster Campus, and plays an integral role in teaching students and medical research at Imperial College London.

HIV/AIDS was first diagnosed in 1981. As of year-end 2018, 160,493 people have been diagnosed with HIV in the United Kingdom and an estimated 7,500 people are living undiagnosed with HIV. New diagnoses are highest in gay/bisexual men, with an estimated 51% of new diagnosis reporting male same-sex sexual activity as the probable route of infection. Between 2009 and 2018 there was a 32% reduction in new HIV diagnosis, attributed by Public Health England (PHE) to better surveillance and education. PHE has described an "outbreak" in Glasgow amongst people who inject drugs, and has campaigns targeting men who have sex with men in London and other major cities. London was the first city in the world to reach the World Health Organization target for HIV, set at 90% of those with HIV diagnosed, 90% of those diagnosed on HAART and 90% of those on HAART undetectable. The UK as a whole later achieved the same target. Under the Equality Act 2010, it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their HIV status in the UK.

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is an NHS trust based in London, England. It is one of the largest NHS trusts in England and together with Imperial College London forms an academic health science centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Primary Care Trust</span>

Blackburn with Darwen tPCT was an English National Health Service primary care trust, responsible for commissioning & purchasing of health care in Blackburn with Darwen in Lancashire. It came under the North West of England's NHS strategic health authority (SHA). It was abolished in April 2013.

HIV/AIDS in Eswatini was first reported in 1986 but has since reached epidemic proportions. As of 2016, Eswatini had the highest prevalence of HIV among adults aged 15 to 49 in the world (27.2%).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avert (HIV and AIDS organisation)</span> British charitable organization

Avert is an international charity that uses digital communications to increase health literacy on HIV and sexual health, among those most affected in areas of greatest need, in order to reduce new infections and improve health and well-being.

Various topics in medicine relate particularly to the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA) individuals as well as other sexual and gender minorities. According to the US National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, these areas include sexual and reproductive health, mental health, substance use disorders, HIV/AIDS, HIV-related cancers, intimate partner violence, issues surrounding marriage and family recognition, breast and cervical cancer, inequities in healthcare and access to care. In medicine, various nomenclature, including variants of the acronym LGBTQIA+, are used as an umbrella term to refer to individuals who are non-heterosexual, non-heteroromantic, or non-cis gendered. Specific groups within this community have their own distinct health concerns, however are often grouped together in research and discussions. This is primarily because these sexual and gender minorities groups share the effects of stigmatization based on their gender identity or expression, and/or sexual orientation or affection orientation. Furthermore, there are subpopulations among LGBTQIA+ groups based on factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and age, all of which can impact healthcare outcomes.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust operates Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital. The Foundation Trust was created on 1 October 2006. The Trust's chief executive is Lesley Watts and its chairman is Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV-affected community</span> Medical condition

The affected community is composed of people who are living with HIV and AIDS, plus individuals whose lives are directly influenced by HIV infection. This originally was defined as young to middle aged adults who associate with being gay or bisexual men, and or injection drug users. HIV-affected community is a community that is affected directly or indirectly affected by HIV. These communities are usually influenced by HIV and undertake risky behaviours that lead to a higher chance of HIV infection. To date HIV infection is still one of the leading cause of deaths around the world with an estimate of 36.8 million people diagnosed with HIV by the end of 2017, but there can particular communities that are more vulnerable to HIV infection, these communities include certain races, gender, minorities, and disadvantaged communities. One of the most common communities at risk is the gay community as it is commonly transmitted through unsafe sex. The main factor that contributes to HIV infection within the gay/bisexual community is that gay men do not use protection when performing anal sex or other sexual activities which can lead to a higher risk of HIV infections. Another community will be people diagnosed with mental health issues, such as depression is one of the most common related mental illnesses associated with HIV infection. HIV testing is an essential role in reducing HIV infection within communities as it can lead to prevention and treatment of HIV infections but also helps with early diagnosis of HIV. Educating young people in a community with the knowledge of HIV prevention will be able to help decrease the prevalence within the community. As education is an important source for development in many areas. Research has shown that people more at risk for HIV are part of disenfranchised and inner city populations as drug use and sexually transmitted diseases(STDs) are more prevalent. People with mental illnesses that inhibit making decisions or overlook sexual tendencies are especially at risk for contracting HIV.

The Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) is a non-political, independent humanitarian organization in Somalia and is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Infectious diseases within American correctional settings are a concern within the public health sector. The corrections population is susceptible to infectious diseases through exposure to blood and other bodily fluids, drug injection, poor health care, prison overcrowding, demographics, security issues, lack of community support for rehabilitation programs, and high-risk behaviors. The spread of infectious diseases, such as HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV), and tuberculosis, result largely from needle-sharing, drug use, and consensual and non-consensual sex among prisoners. HIV and hepatitis C need specific attention because of the specific public health concerns and issues they raise.

Healthcare in London, which consumes about a fifth of the NHS budget in England, is in many respects distinct from that in the rest of the United Kingdom, or England.

Dr Thom Van Every is a UK trained medical doctor, entrepreneur and children's author. He is considered a pioneer in the UK of online medical services having launched through his website Dr Thom the first regulated online medical clinic, the first home HIV testing service, and in partnership with the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust the first NHS online service. He appeared on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour discussing a DIY cervical smear test using a tampon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT Foundation</span>

LGBT Foundation is a national charity based in Manchester with a wide portfolio of services. With a history dating back to 1975, it campaigns for a fair and equal society where all lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people are able to reach their full potential. They support over 40,000 people directly every year, and a further 600,000 online. They provide direct services and resources to more LGBT people than any other charity of its kind in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gordon Hospital</span> Hospital in Westminster, England

The Gordon Hospital is a 55-bed acute adult mental health hospital located in Westminster, London. It is managed by the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.

A gender identity clinic is a type of specialist clinic providing services relating to transgender health care.

Helen Ward is a British physician who is professor of public health at Imperial College London and director of the patient experience research centre. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ward called for the Government of the United Kingdom to be more proactive in their response to the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2.

References

  1. 1 2 "HIV 'may soon be wiped out in London' after dramatic drop in new infections" . The Independent. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  2. 1 2 "56 Dean Street — Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust". www.chelwest.nhs.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  3. "Dean Street Express is the STI clinic of the future – we went inside". The Tab. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  4. "HIV cases fall by 40% for second year at top clinic". Evening Standard. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  5. "Combination HIV Prevention: Tailoring and Coordinating Biomedical, Behavioural and Structural Strategies to Reduce New HIV Infections UNAIDS Discussion Paper" (PDF). UNAIDS. September 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  6. "Treatment as Prevention (TasP)". 20 July 2015. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016.
  7. "Europe's largest sexual health clinic launches PrEP service due to huge demand". PinkNews. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  8. "Chelsea and Westminster hospital NHS Foundation Trust website". Archived from the original on 26 September 2011.
  9. "56 Dean Street website". Archived from the original on 21 February 2009.
  10. "Home Page". Transplus. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  11. "HIV Transmission Rates Have Fallen, But We Can't Be Complacent". Vice. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 "56 Dean Street website". Archived from the original on 25 July 2016.
  13. https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/publication/documents/2021-03/phe_hiv_innovation_fund_cohort_4_report.pdf
  14. https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/publication/documents/2021-03/phe_hiv_innovation_fund_cohort_4_report.pdf
  15. https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/publication/documents/2021-03/phe_hiv_innovation_fund_cohort_4_report.pdf
  16. "CQC Care Quality Commission. Chelsea and Westminster hospital NHS Foundation Trust Quality report 2014". Archived from the original on 15 September 2020.
  17. "NHS trust fined for 56 Dean Street HIV status leak". BBC. 6 May 2016.
  18. "Man awarded compensation following sexual assault by a nurse at London sexual health clinic". 28 February 2018.