The work of a specialist AIDS home support team: the views and experiences of patients using the service

The work of a specialist AIDS home support team whose role is to ensure continuity of care between hospital and community for patients with HIV infection is viewed from the patients' perspective. Information comes from a wider interview study in which 265 gay men positive for HIV were asked about their perceptions of and satisfaction with a variety of different services. Of the group, 119 (46%) reported involvement with the home support team. The team was seen as providing links between patients, the hospital and the community, as well as offering security for those who expected to need help in the future. For the most part, the team were seen in a favourable light when compared to other professionals and 53% felt they received a considerable amount of reassurance and support from them.