Waverley Care has launched ‘HIV Informed’ this World AIDS Day – a new learning hub to tackle HIV stigma in Scotland’s health and social care workforce.
Today, we are proud to launch HIV Informed, a new interactive online learning hub designed to tackle HIV-related stigma across Scotland’s health and social care workforce.
Developed in partnership with NHS Scotland and people living with HIV, the learning hub is funded by the Scottish Government as part of its national commitment to end new HIV transmission and tackle stigma. It provides trusted, up-to-date information about HIV treatment, prevention, stigma, and care. The learning hub aims to empower professionals across the workforce, from nurses, GPs and dentists to social care and community-based staff, with accurate knowledge and practical tools to provide inclusive, stigma-free care.
Addressing stigma in health and social care
Research shows that stigma and discrimination remain a barrier for people living with HIV in health and social care settings. According to the UK Government’s 2022 Positive Voices Survey, around 1 in 13 people living with HIV avoided accessing healthcare services due to concerns about their status, and 1 in 7 worried about being treated differently by healthcare staff.
HIV stigma can discourage people from seeking the care or treatment they need. Steven, who is living with HIV, explains: “I have felt the most judged in a healthcare setting at the dentist. They brought out a separate box with a biohazard sticker on it. It made me feel uncomfortable because I felt like I had to explain myself.”
Agnes, also living with HIV, adds: “Every time I go to the hospital, I have the fear of being judged. You get so nervous about what they are going to say. You start panicking. It’s very important to have a safe environment. If I feel judged, I might leave things out, and that’s the real danger of discrimination”.
A lack of knowledge and understanding about HIV can exacerbate stigma, lead to inappropriate infection control practices, and reduce engagement with health and social care services. Beyond its impact on people living with HIV, stigma is also a barrier to accessing HIV testing and prevention methods such as PrEP.
Features of HIV Informed
The new learning hub addresses these issues through a range of interactive learning resources, including:
- Short videos and real-life experiences of HIV today, and the impact of stigma
- Engaging quizzes and microlearning modules to test understanding
- Downloadable guides and quick-reference resources for workplace use
- Certificates of completion to support professional learning and development
The platform has been designed to be intuitive on both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring accessibility across Scotland’s diverse workforce. It is organised around three key themes: HIV today, HIV stigma, and working in health and social care.
Launch and Access
HIV Informed went live today on 1 December 2025, marking World AIDS Day, a global moment of solidarity, remembering those who have died and to taking action against HIV stigma and discrimination. The hub can be accessed at: www.hiv-informed.scot
Grant Sugden, Chief Executive of Waverley Care, said:
“We know that stigma and misinformation continue to affect the care and support people living with HIV receive. The only way to truly tackle this is through better education, ensuring that everyone working in health and social care has up-to-date knowledge about HIV today. Too many people still don’t realise that when someone is on effective treatment, HIV cannot be passed on. Outdated misconceptions continue to cause real harm and prevent people from seeking the care they need.
“On this World AIDS Day, we’re calling on health and social care professionals to take the time to learn, reflect, and challenge stigma by becoming HIV Informed. Together, we can create a Scotland where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and understanding.”
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto MSP said:
“Behind every statistic about HIV is a person who deserves to be treated with kindness, respect and understanding. People living with HIV can have long and healthy lives however, sadly, stigma still prevents too many people from feeling safe and supported when accessing health and social care.
“Tackling HIV stigma remains a vital part of our commitment to ensuring everyone can access compassionate, person-centred healthcare – the launch of HIV Informed is an important step forward. By equipping health and social care professionals with accurate, up-to-date information and real-life perspectives, we can help ensure that care is delivered with understanding, respect and without judgement.
“This World AIDS Day, I encourage all health and social care workers to take part in this training and play their part in ending HIV stigma for good.”
