Counseling and Testing Programme

HIV Care Services at McCord Hospital > Care and Treatment Services at Sinikithemba

A person enters the programme by having Counselling and Testing, a psychosocial assessment and CD4 testing if indicated.

There is a major focus on psychosocial wellness at Sinikithemba and McCord Hospital, as it is recognized to be a key component of facilitating & supporting long term adherence to ART. The psychosocial services available consist of counsellors, psychologists and social work services

The counselors are usually the first point of contact for patients in Sinikithemba. Counsellors are trained to screen patients and provide a basic level of counselling. If a patient has complex psychological or social problems, there are trained psychologists with the Psychology Department, as well as social workers for referral of patients if the counsellors need to do so.

HIV Counselling & Testing services

Counselling & testing services answer the question “what is my HIV status?”, and then prepare people for the next steps, whether they test HIV positive or negative.

Testing is offered at:

Out Patients Department of McCord Hospital – this is where the majority of testing of both adults & children occurs. During “office hours” it is provided as an opt out routine service
Hope House: this is accessed by many relatives & partners of patients already on ART
A ‘roving’ counselling service in the wards at McCord Hospital and Siyaphila (the step down care facility)
The Antenatal Clinic, part of the PMTCT program
The Staff Clinic

Patient literacy/ training counsellors at Ridge House

The three training sessions cover Stigma, Healthy Living and Taking ART, and prepare patients to start ART.

Adherence counselling for antiretroviral treatment at Ridge House and Siyaphila Care Centre

These counsellors help people on ART and their treatment ‘buddies’ with the very important process of ongoing adherence to treatment.

Referrals

At any stage, a patient may be referred to psychological, social work or pastoral care where necessary.

Care of the counsellors

There are weekly meetings where the work of the week is reviewed. Counsellors are supported and have access themselves to the psychologists of the Psychology Department where needed, as the work is often stressful.

Published in: HIV Care Services at McCord Hospital > Care and Treatment Services at Sinikithemba