Injection drug use-related HIV healthcare--problems and management in Edinburgh

The relatively high numbers of patients with IDU-related HIV in Scotland has resulted in considerable management difficulties not previously experienced by other medical units. Chronic physical ill health in drug users is becoming commoner with the advent of HIV and other centres are now experiencing the type of problems that the Regional Infectious Disease Unit (RIDU) in Edinburgh has faced over the last 10 years. Very little has been published concerning the difficulties of managing patients who use drugs and have a physical illness in medical units in the UK. This paper presents examples of common problems together with the RIDU's experience of management in the hope that it will help others to deliver effective and efficient physical and mental health care to patients with drug problems.