LINKS is a dedicated database of 'HIV Friendly'
services in the county of Kent.

This project was born out of the need in this county and the apparent
use of similar devices in other counties, but in particular in London.
Kent has a very different geography to places such as
London, this is that a lot of the county is rural.
It has been established that some of its citizens are HIV+, and also
with the various ports and of course the Channel Tunnel,
Kent can be called the preferred route
of HIV to and from the continent.
Unfortunately Kent has a very small amount of
dedicated services, and definitely nothing on the London model.
All major medical services are based in Hospitals,
with a very limited number of personnel. Included
in the remit of these personnel is the home visiting of
Service users. Therefore their base/office could be (and is) invariably un-staffed for a large amount of the day. How frustrating when someone in need calls the service provider to ask a simple question like 'where can I find a good 'HIV Friendly' GP in my area, to find that they must speak to an answer machine or an unskilled assistant. Or if they do get through to the service provider, the provider can only provide a couple or even one name,
and this name is in the service providers immediate area.
They may forget that the service user may
travel for long distance's to get to their hospital appointment.
Hence 'LINKS', a dedicated database for all
of Kent, staffed by volunteers all day,
five days a week. By asking a few questions,
that will remain confidential,
and a tap or two on
the computer keyboard the answer that the Service user requires
flashes up before the operators eyes. And the
service need not end there. The service is easily accessed by
telephone/visit to the centre/Fax/e-mail or
letter. anyone can use the
service, Members of BodyPositive KENT Ltd.,
People of Kent who are HIV+, and those
people of Kent who are affected by HIV/AIDS, and of
course the Service Providers themselves.

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