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.