Cork HIV activist says survey on stigma shows medical profession 'needs to listen to patients'

William Kennedy said at least 8,000 people are living with HIV in Ireland, with an unknown number of undiagnosed people. Picture: Chani Anderson

A Cork HIV activist said he was surprised and saddened by research published this week showing stigma against patients by healthcare workers is still common.

People living with HIV have been refused surgery and are still stigmatised by many in the medical profession as drug users or promiscuous, a study by the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences showed.

William Kennedy said at least 8,000 people are living with HIV in Ireland, with an unknown number of undiagnosed people. “I found it very interesting that in 2024 people are still double-gloving, still were afraid of touching people with HIV,” he said.

“I know things have got a lot better, but seeing it in a survey on medical people was surprising.” 

The research identified people with HIV may be put last on waiting lists among other issues. “I have heard of this but I thought it was gone,” he said, adding “it is sad” to see again.

“I’ve known of cases, particularly dentists — they’re the worst. You get your appointment late in the afternoon, probably the last one. You go in and everything is covered with a protective layer, the dentist is double-gloved.” 

He urged healthcare workers to learn about stigma, saying a casual comment can cause great hurt to already vulnerable people. Mr Kennedy experienced this while undergoing cancer treatment.

He said:

I had a colonoscopy after all my treatment, and while I was there the consultant asked me how did I get it, how did I get HIV. It has nothing to do with my cancer.

He was thrown and felt a moral judgement was being made, so he asked the doctor later why she did this. She was very apologetic when he explained why it was hurtful.

“I am not attacking the HIV services, I think Ireland is great and our treatment is really brilliant,” he said.

“They just need to do a few things in all health services. The main thing with this survey is you cannot provide a service if you don’t know what your patients want, they need to listen to patients.” 

Irish Aids Day is marked this weekend. Mr Kennedy will sign copies of his book ‘My Secret Life’ during Clonmel Pride on Saturday.

The RCSI survey found 76% of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers including medical students witnessed discrimination from their colleagues towards patients living with HIV. The college has now launched a training module to meet the demand it identified for more education in this area.