HIV services & clinics

What we do

As part of the Victorian HIV Service, we have numerous in-hospital, outpatient and community services available to the HIV-affected community of metropolitan Melbourne, and throughout rural and regional Victoria. 

We are heavily involved in clinical research, and our strong partnerships with researchers and the community enables us to ensure our patients have access to latest treatments and research trials.

In-hospital care

We provide HIV treatment and care through inpatient services on Ward 7 West and sub-acute services within Fairfield House.

People living with HIV may be admitted to hospital for a wide range of health conditions. Because of these varied conditions, other medical teams may be involved in your care. During your time in hospital the HIV service will be continue to be involved where required. The other clinical specialties across Alfred Health have treated many people living with HIV over many years and are used to collaborating with your HIV team if needed.

Outpatient care

We have the largest and most comprehensive range of HIV outpatient services in Victoria, focusing on HIV care and related health issues. Our Infectious Diseases Physicians offer appointments across the week.  

In addition to our general HIV outpatient care we have some specialised HIV clinics which include:

• Mental health/psychiatry
• Drug and alcohol
• Hepatitis C co-infection
• Neurocognitive
• HIV complex metabolic. 

Outreach clinics are provided at Port Phillip Prison, Wodonga, Sale, Mildura and Bendigo. 

Our Share Care Service supports GPs across the state, including rural and regional areas, to manage the care of people living with HIV in their relevant communities.

In addition to working at the Alfred and supporting our outreach programs, our specialist HIV nurses also work across clinics at Northern Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, Royal Children’s Hospital and Frankston Hospital.

HIV Outward Program

Specialist HIV nursing, social work and other support staff work closely with the HIV medical team at The Alfred to provide a range of unique home and community-focused clinical services across the state.

These services include:

• Secondary consultation and advice, ongoing care coordination and service linkage for patients across the state
• Support in accessing aged care services and ongoing HIV care within these services
• Support for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
• HIV Social Work services to assist with adjustment to HIV diagnosis, finances, housing, relationships, accessing government assistance and services and accessing legal support
• New HIV diagnosis support and linkage
• Complex care management for people with complex HIV health and psychosocial issues
• Care coordination for patients with HIV mental health diagnoses along with secondary consultation and service linkage into mainstream mental health services.

HIV prevention services

We provide two HIV precention services across Victoria

• The Victorian NPEP Service facilitates access to NPEP across the state
• The Victorian PrEP Service facilitates access to PrEP across the state.

HIV clinical support/advice to GPs and clinical services

The service also supports other health services (including GPs) to meet the clinical care needs of people living with HIV in their relevant communities, ensuring they have the most up-to-date care and health monitoring. We provide specialist advice and support, share-care arrangements and mentoring.

How to access this

Referrals to the HIV Service - patients

For general HIV outpatient clinics

To see one of our HIV specialists, you do not need a referral. If you are transferring your care to us a GP letter is preferred.

For specialised HIV clinics (as listed above)

To access specialised HIV services your GP will need to a fax a referral to us.

For HIV community & complex care

Family, carers, case managers and people living with HIV can contact us directly to discuss care needs and we will outline what services we can offer, or assist you in finding other community services.

What to bring

Every time you come

• Medicare card
• Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
• List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins