As we start a new year, we wanted to take the time to thank you for your support over the last twelve months and to update you on our current funding situation.
NAM’s funding situation
Unfortunately, in common with many other charities, 2013 was a difficult year for NAM financially.
Previously, the production and dissemination of NAM’s patient information materials were funded by the Pan-London HIV Prevention Programme.
However, at the end of March 2013, responsibility for HIV prevention moved from the NHS to local authorities, and at that point London Councils took the decision not to continue to fund treatment information publications. However, the London Councils recognised the quality and need for our service and recommended that it should continue, but funded by the NHS.
Unfortunately, no one within the new NHS presently has a remit to commission patient information resources. It has ‘fallen between stools’ in the new NHS commissioning structures. This makes it difficult to invite people to lobby on our behalf as the simple truth is, it is not clear who we should be talking to.
As a result, NAM lost our main source of funding.
We have been working hard behind the scenes to identify alternative sources of funding. We believe it is vital that information remains freely available in clinics to people living with HIV.
In the meantime, we have slimmed back production costs to a minimum, cutting costs wherever possible. Sadly, this has included making a number of redundancies and saying goodbye to some valued resources, including HIV treatment update.
If you would like to add your voice to our campaign, and find out more about the funding situation, you can do so at: www.aidsmap.com/support-nam
Thank you so much for your support
We have been heartened by the amazing endorsements and messages we have received from supporters across the UK and beyond, and reassured that so many people believe the materials we produce are high quality and invaluable.
Last week, some of our booklets were included in an HIV storyline in the long-running ITV series Emmerdale, and the warm reaction on social media was a timely reminder of how well-known and well-used our HIV booklet series is.
A huge thank you too, to our reviewers – people living with HIV and professionals working in HIV – who give their time freely to help us ensure our information resources are current, accurate and useful.
Our funding situation remains very uncertain, but we are working hard to explore all possible options and our priority is to continue to provide evidence-based, independent HIV information free of charge to people living with HIV.
If you feel able to make a donation, please visit: www.aidsmap.com/donate