Wellbeing Times - December

A monthly newsletter from the HIV Wellness Program

DECEMBER 2011

Season’s Greetings!

Yes, it’s the final issue for 2011. As they say, ‘time flies’ and the days seem to whizz by so fast at this time of the year. In all the busy-ness of the season, take some time to smell the roses!

Some reminders about the December happenings – it’s a busy month with lots of dates to remember so maybe jot these down in your diary or put them on the calendar: HWP Volunteer Xmas Party Tues 13 Dec 2011 6pm, Wellbeing Café Complementary Therapies close Thurs 15 Dec 2011 HWP Xmas Party Fri 16 Dec 2011 12 noon, Wellbeing Café Monday Luncheon Club (Final) Mon 19 Dec 2011, 12 noon, Wellbeing Cafe HIV Wellness Program closes

Tues 20 Dec 2011

ACON closes

Fri 23 Dec 2011

ACON reopens

Tues 3 Jan 2012

HIV Wellness Program reopens

Mon 9 Jan 2012

Complementary Therapies reopen Mon 9 Jan 2012 I also want to take this opportunity to remind you that our annual Client Satisfaction Survey is taking place until Friday 16 December. Please take a moment to complete a survey form for one of the services that you’ve experienced during the past year. Your feedback remains anonymous yet assists us to better understand and meet your needs.

ACON has undergone a restructure and so people will be coming and going. The HIV Wellness Program will be managed by Siri May – please make her welcome. There have also been some staff changes in the Women’s and Families project – more details on page 6.

Till then, take extra care of yourself and each other at this time Andrew Buchanan Manager, Positive Services and HIV Health Promotion

NEWS IN BRIEF:

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

ACON Welcomes NSW Trial Of Rapid HIV Testing (Page 5) Trial of HIV testing with results delivered within 30minutes

Planet Positive (Page 4) The next Planet Positive night will be held Friday 16 December.

Hot Spot in the Cafe’!! (Page 2) Providing a range of short information sessions of the latest big issues.

HIV Wellness Program - Email: hwp@acon.org.au

End Of Year Party (Page6) Pozhet, Camp Goodtime, and ACON’s Women and Families affected by HIV project invite you to come and celebrate!

END OF YEAR Important Holiday Info (page 10) Contacts (page 10-11) Emergency Numbers (page 12) Dates to Remember (page 12) 1

HIV FUTures seven: making positive lives count - out now!

HIV Futures seven is the seventh national survey of Australian People Living with HIV (PLHIV) conducted by the Living with HIV program at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University.

News HOT Spot IN THE CAFÉ Each Wednesday during meal service a short information session or update of the latest big issues will be provided.

Information will be provided by ACON services as well as external service providers. That way you will be up to date with changes to service provision or opportunities for increased service. This month the ACON Red Ribbon Team will provide a brief report on the success of the 2011 Red Ribbon campaign.

BGF will keep us up to date with their programs, opportunities for clients and plans for 2012.

Housing outreach Housing NSW provide an outreach worker who attends the ACON building to assist clients with questions and assistance from Housing NSW. This will happen on every fourth Monday of the month from 9.00 AM to 12.00 PM on the first floor. While the outreach workers are happy to accept walk ins, we ask if clients are able to make a booking with the ACON Housing Project call 9206 2000 and ask to be put through to the Housing Project.

We would also strongly advise that a support worker also attend the appointment. If support workers are unable to attend we are happy to provide any assistance/ support for your client.

NEW YEAR’s RESOLUTIONS It’s that time of the year when we stretch our brains to come up with some good intentions for the coming year. Make sure you aim for something achievable, something you think is realistic.

HIV Futures is an anonymous survey of PLHIV. It asks people about a range of issues including their health, treatments, work and financial situation. HIV Futures surveys have been conducted every two to three years since 1997, attracting responses from around 1000 PLHIV each time.

The HIV Futures survey has been developed in consultation with a variety of community groups and it is officially supported by the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA), the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) and the Australasian Society of HIV Medicine (ASHM).

HIV Futures provides information to PLHIV, community organisations, service providers, doctors and government about the actual experience of living with HIV and the current needs of PLHIV. HIV Futures seven will be run between October 2011 and 15th January 2012. Hardcopy survey booklets will be sent out to HIV/AIDS organisations across the country. These can be returned anonymously and free of charge via the envelope attached to the survey booklet.

The survey can also be filled out online by going to:

www.hivfutures.org.au

For more information, or to request a copy of the survey booklet, contact: Freecall: Email:

1800 064 398 hivfutures@latrobe.edu.au

Make sure your experience counts.

Let us know what living with HIV is like for you.

Be part of HIV Futures seven

Some suggestions you might like to consider are: •

•

•

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Improve your health Eat right, get fit (in which case you should think about enrolling in the Healthy Life Plus program that ACON offers); Quit smoking If you’re a smoker living with HIV, giving up cigarettes is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health (there are Quit Smoking programs at RPA and POW hospitals that can assist you to break the habit); Improve your life skills Maybe you’d like to develop new skills for living, new skills for working or volunteering. Either way we can help you find the support you need to make these changes come true.

HIV Wellness Program - Email: hwp@acon.org.au

All calls to Lifeline FREE from all mobile phones

Activities and services

Under a newly-announced Government initiative, from 1 July 2011 calls to mental health and crisis support service Lifeline will be free from all mobile phones, no matter which mobile provider you use.

Over the past year, we’ve already seen calls to Lifeline made free on Telstra’s landlines and mobiles, Vodafone mobiles and iiNet VOIP services.

The new all-mobiles-are-free option is due to a government deal to pay the costs for those calls.

Monday and Wednesday Luncheon Club & Friday Social Lunch For more information go to www.lifeline.org.au

HIV Wellness program client support The Treatments and Client Support Officer is available to provide information around new developments in services and treatments.

SAVE A FOREST Did you know you can read the Wellbeing Times on-line.

Just go to www.acon.org.au/hiv/plc/newsletter

Life coaching The positive connection empowers the person being coached to recognize and draw on his or her own innate ability and resources to make lasting changes for a better and fulfilling life. The relationship is undemanding, supportive, realistic, truthful, observant and continually offering to go into different dimensions.

People generally work with a Life Coach because they are ready to make some type of change in their life. They can see how their life will improve if they are truly well, but have not yet succeeded on their own.

The Monday and Wednesday Luncheon Club service, and Friday Social Lunch are run from 10.30 until 2pm, and are open to all people with HIV and their carers. A free lunch is served from 12.30pm offering a wide variety of nutritionally balanced food. The service also provides free health promotion workshops and referrals to other services as well as plenty of volunteering opportunities.

This is also a good time to learn about health promotion and treatments developments or events that may be of benefit to you. All clients of the HIV Wellness Program are encouraged to come and share a meal and each other’s company.

Tuesday Breakfast Every Tuesday morning, from 10am to 12pm, a breakfast/ brunch is served in the dining room at the Wellbeing Café!

NOTE: Please see back page for closing and reopening dates for these services.

Coaching provides the structure, accountability, expertise, inspiration and support to enable a person to learn, grow and develop beyond what he or she can do alone. Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their learning, improve their performance and enhance their quality of life.

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending” Carl Bard Contact:

Sharny Chalmers to have a discussion and arrange an intake Phone: 9206 2015 Email: schalmers@acon.org.au

The HIV Wellness Program (HWP) is delivered by ACON at 414 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 Tel: 9206 2000 HIV Wellness Program - Email: hwp@acon.org.au

the larder The Larder is a free grocery item service for HIV + people who are on Centrelink benefits (proof of status and a pension card are required in order to participate in this service). The Larder provides grocery items, and fresh fruit and vegetables on a fortnightly or monthly basis.

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HIV MENS HEALTH PROMOTION

Nexus

Newly diagnosed HIV+? Want to talk?

Healthy life plus The next Healthy Life Plus will start early in the New Year and we have started taking enquiries for this popular program.

This is an ideal program for you if you want to kick start a healthier life in 2012 with previous participants achieving some amazing health goals both physically and mentally.

For more information or to discuss your eligibility for the program, contact Contact: HIV Men’s Health Promotion Team Phone: (02) 9206 2101 or (02) 9206 2103 Email: hivliving@acon.org.au family@acon.org.au

Nexus is a monthly discussion group designed to offer newly diagnosed HIV+ gay men a chance to talk about a wide range of issues with their peers.

Nexus provides a confidential, supportive and social environment that can help newly diagnosed men by giving them a chance to talk with people who are dealing with many of the same issues.

When: Monday 12 December 2011, 7pm to 9pm Where: ACON, 414 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills Contact: HIV Men’s Health Promotion Team Call: (02) 9206 2101 Email: hivliving@acon.org.au

Planet Positive

A social night full of music and laughter for HIV positive people and their friends

WHEN Friday 16 December from 6pm-10pm WHERE Level One, The Midnight Shift, 85 Oxford St CONTACT Hédimo 9361 6011 or ACON 9206 2000

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HIV Wellness Program - Email: hwp@acon.org.au

13 November 2011

MEDIA RELEASE

RECIPE Fun summer recipes that are cheap and quick and easy to put together!

Italian Sausages and Tuscan Beans with Rosemary

If you love robust flavours, you may like to use chorizo sausages for this recipe. Use 4 chorizo sausages, sliced and browned lightly.

To make a more filling meal, use two carrots and two celery stalks to make up for the fact that fewer sausages are used.

HIV test results can be delivered within 30minutes

ACON WELcomes nsw trial of rapid hiv testing NSW’s leading community-based HIV/AIDS organisation says the start of the first NSW trial of rapid HIV testing represents an important advance in the HIV prevention response in NSW and across Australia.

Rapid HIV tests provide results within 30 minutes and are routinely used in the US, Europe and New Zealand, however rapid tests are not currently available in Australia, where patients have to wait a week or more for results.

Sponsored by the University of NSW’s Kirby Institute, the Sydney-based trial starts this week and involves four sexual health clinics – the Sydney Sexual Health Centre at Sydney Hospital, the Albion Street Centre in Surry Hills, the Parramatta Sexual Health Clinic and Clinic 16 at the Royal North Shore Hospital. The trial – one of a number currently underway in Australia –is expected to involve up to 1000 men and run for up to six months.

The trial is open to gay men and other men who have sex with men who are aged 18 years of age or older.

Participants will be offered enrolment if they are assessed as eligible.

After giving a fingerprick sample of blood, results will be made available to participating clients within 30 minutes.

Blood will also be drawn for a lab test to compare the results to the rapid HIV test.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 tbs Homebrand olive oil 1 x pack Italian Sausages 1 carrot, cut into cubes 1 celery stalk, sliced 3 garlic cloves 2 x 420g cans cannellini beans, drained 1 x 250g punnet cherry tomatoes 1 rosemary sprig 1 1/2 cups water Method: 1. In a pan, heat the oil on high and fry the sausages in batches for 1-2 minutes, until browned. Remove and set aside. Cut into thick slices.

2. Add the carrot and celery to the pan and cook for another 3 minutes until soft and starting to colour.

Reduce heat to medium, add the garlic and cook for another minute.

3. Add the drained beans, stir gently with a wooden spoon to coat the beans with oil.

4. Return the sausages to the pan, add the tomatoes, rosemary sprig and 1 1/2 cups water and simmer gently for another 15 minutes, until sausages are nicely cooked through.

5. ENJOY!

Clients will also be offered STI screening in addition to HIV testing.

HIV Wellness Program - Email: hwp@acon.org.au

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Introducing GIVERNY - FAREWELL TO JODIE! Welcome to Giverny!

It’s with much pleasure that we welcome Giverny Lewis to the team to work alongside Caterina.

2012 is looking to be a great year with plenty happening in the team and on the project. Now that we have Caterina on board, you can be told the worst kept secret – Jodie is bidding farewell to ACON and her last group will be the end of year party!

Women and Families affected by hiv project End of year party When: Saturday 3 December, 12noon until 3pm Where: Newtown Public School, Norfolk St Newtown Enjoy a BBQ lunch with some light refreshments, and free entertainment for the little ones (and the not so little ones!)

Kindifarm, kids activities, Santa and more! It will be a great day full of fun and laughter. What better reason to get together and catch up with friends to celebrate the year that’s been 2011.

Hope to see as many of you there as possible. For more information and to RSVP please contact Contact: Phone: Email:

Cat at ACON 9206 2103 cgiuliano@acon.org.au

OR Contact: Phone: Email:

Susan at Pozhet 9395 0444 susan.mcguckin@sswahs.nsw.gov.au

OR Contact: Louise/Angela at Paediatric HIV Service Phone: 9382 1851 Email: Angela.Miller@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au Louise.Dolahenty@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Women’s Wellness, Education and Support Days Saturday 11th February will be our first Women’s Wellness, Education and Support Day for 2012.

Please make sure you have this date in your diaries and we will be in contact early in the New Year with what is planned for the day. The event will be held at the Joseph Sargeant Center in Erskineville again, so if you know of others with children who have not been attending, invite them along.

We have a great site for kids and our wonderful CSN volunteers help out with activities to keep the tiny tots busy while the grown ups get to take part in the day.

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‘I have enjoyed every minute of my time working on this project and I am excited to be leaving it in the hands a great new team. There is much to be excited about and if you have any questions please get in contact with Caterina.’

Jodie So with that said we’d like to wish you all a wonderful festive season, full of good health, happiness and laughter, and all things amazing for 2012.

Caterina and Giverny Women and Families affected by HIV Team Officers

FOOD Distribution network The Food Distribution Network (FDN) is a not-for-profit community organisation that delivers boxes of fresh and inexpensive fruit and vegetables to people in need in the City of Sydney. The service is for older people needing assistance, people with disabilities and their carers and people living with HIV. Our aim is to assist people to remain healthy and live independently at home with the delivery of affordable, nutritious food.

How do I access services?

We buy bulk wholesale produce twice a week from the Sydney Markets at Flemington, and volunteers unpack the truck on returning to the Redfern Centre from the markets and individual boxes are then made up for home delivery to clients either weekly or fortnightly basis. Nutrition information and recipes are also provided.

Deliveries are made on set days covering the City of Sydney Local Government Area as shown in the map below. There is also a delivery run on Wednesdays for people living with HIV and residing in suburbs adjoining the City of Sydney.

How much does it cost?

Each box of fresh produce costs just $7 plus a $2 delivery fee.

What do I receive?

Boxes of fruit, boxes of vegetables and mixed boxes of both fruit and vegetables are available. The content is determined by the quality, quantity and price of produce at the Flemington Markets together with feedback received from clients. Though the content changes from week to week, all boxes have about 30 pieces of fruit or vegetables and weigh from 6 to 8 kilograms.

How can I access the service?

You must be assessed as eligible before you can access the service.

Please contact the office to arrange a phone assessment Phone: 9699 1614 Email: enquiries@fdn.org.au Visit: www.fdn.org.au

HIV Wellness Program - Email: hwp@acon.org.au

THERAPIES REIKI Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive.

Remedial/Swedish Massage

HIV Wellness program CALENDAR REGULAR PROGRAMS Condom Packing Group Shane and David run a table dedicated to making “safe packs” that are distributed throughout Sydney. Join the group to help us continue this important work at the Wellbeing Café.

Eden GARDEN GROUP Keith and his band of volunteers meet every Thursday morning. Come and make some new friends, learn some gardening skills and hopefully get some sun (remember your Vitamin D levels). Eden Garden is located in the grounds of the Uniting Church, 56A Raglan Street, Waterloo.

IN-REACH SERVICES BGF A staff member from the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation is available weekly at the Monday Luncheon Club in the Wellbeing Café to answer any questions or issues around the services they offer their clients. This includes practical support, referrals as well as financial counseling and advice. Please ask staff for the dates they are available, alternatively contact BGF direct.

HALC An HIV/AIDS Legal Centre (HALC) staff members attends the Tuesday Breakfast every 2nd Tuesday from 10am -12pm to answer your legal questions. This is conducted in a confidential space. Please check the calendar to see which dates they are in attendance. Clients are seen at a first come first served basis so please see reception to have your name put on the list.

Remedial massage is a therapeutic deep tissue massage that can treat specific health issues, musculoskeletal problems and injuries. It provides a wonderful relaxation if you are stressed and soothes sore, tired muscles. Massage therapy is based on three principles. Firstly that the body is affected by its parts, secondly shortened muscle tissues do not work, and thirdly that soft tissues of the body respond to touch.

Life Coaching The aim of life coaching is to help individuals to determine and achieve personal goals. Life coaches use multiple methods that will help you with the process of setting and reaching goals. The treatment usually runs for 10/12 weeks for one hour per week.

Bowen Technique Bowen Technique is a gentle form of body work in which very subtle moves performed over the muscles and connective tissue send messages deep into the body, retrieving cellular memory of a preferred, relaxed, balanced way of wellbeing. Bowen can be useful for back pain, nerve pain, headache, digestive and bowel problems, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, knee, ankle, foot problems, sporting and accident injuries, respiratory problems and hay fever or.. just for relaxation!

Acupuncture Acupuncture literally means ‘needle piercing’, the practice of inserting very fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific anatomic points in the body (called acupoints or acupuncture points) for therapeutic purposes. Along with the usual method of puncturing the skin with the fine needles, the practitioners of acupuncture also use heat, pressure, friction, suction, or impulses of electromagnetic energy to stimulate the points. The acupoints (acupuncture points) are stimulated to balance the movement of energy (qi) in the body to restore health.

Vitamin service ACON stocks a great range of multi-vitamins and supplements that can be purchased directly at ACON. We stock everything from a general multivitamin range to digestive enzymes and food supplement powders. with our new naturopath on board it’s the perfect opportunity to discuss your vitamin needs with a qualified practitioner.

We can advise you on what items will target specific symptoms you may be experiencing.

Lomi Lomi Massage Lomi Lomi means “to massage”, “to knead” or “to weave”. Weaving aloha, weaving light, and weaving spirit, weaving consciousness into the unconscious. The massage practice integrates physical and energetic healing techniques with flowing forearm movements, breath, presence, aloha and sacred space.

HIV Wellness program client support The Treatments and Client Support Officer is available on Wednesdays between 12pm – 2pm to provide information around new developments in services and treatments, make appointments with you and assist with referrals.

HIV Wellness Program - Email: hwp@acon.org.au

Eden Community Garden Eden Community Garden is a community garden located behind the Uniting Church in Raglan Street Waterloo. The garden is a place to become refreshed and feel at peace. All are welcome. If you would like to know more about the garden please contact Sharny Chalmers on 9206 2105.

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December 2011 – HIV Wellness Program Calendar Mon

Tue

Wed

NEWS ONLINE: Did you know you can read the Wellbeing Times on-line.

Just go to http://www.acon. org.au/hiv/plc/newsletter

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6 Monday Luncheon Club 10.30am - 2pm The Larder 12pm - 2pm BGF 12pm - 2pm Alan’s Exercise Class 5pm - 6pm

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Tuesday Breakfast 10am - 12pm Bowen Ian 1pm - 5pm

13 Monday Luncheon Club 10.30am - 2pm The Larder 12pm - 2pm BGF 12pm - 2pm Alan’s Exercise Class 5pm - 6pm Nexus 7pm - 9pm

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Tuesday Breakfast 10am - 12pm HALC 10am - 12pm Bowen Ian 1pm - 5pm

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Wednesday Luncheon Club 10.30am – 2pm Hot Spot in the Café!

ACON Report on Red Ribbon Campaign 12.40 - 1pm Treatment & Client Support Officer 12pm – 2pm The Larder 12pm - 2pm Tree of Hope, Client Support 12pm - 2pm Volunteer Meeting 2pm – 3pm Acupuncture Angie 3pm - 5pm Yoga 6pm - 7pm

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Wednesday Luncheon Club 10.30am – 2pm Hot Spot in the Café!

BGF will present on the latest issues 12.40 - 1pm Treatment & Client Support Officer 12pm – 2pm The Larder 12pm - 2pm Tree of Hope, Client Support 12pm - 2pm Acupuncture Angie 3pm - 5pm Yoga 6pm - 7pm

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Monday Luncheon Club (Final) 10.30am - 2pm The Larder 12pm - 2pm Tuesday Breakfast (Final) BGF 12pm - 2pm 10am - 12pm

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december 2011 – HIV Wellness Program Calendar 1

Thu

Remedial Kane 10am - 3pm Lomi Lomi Marc 6pm - 7pm Eden Garden Working Day Behind the Uniting Church at 56 Raglan St Waterloo 9.30am

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15

10/11

Friday Social Lunch 10.30am - 2pm

16 Remedial Kane 10am - 3pm Lomi Lomi Marc 6pm - 7pm Eden Garden Working Day Behind the Uniting Church at 56 Raglan St Waterloo 9.30am

Sat/Sun 3/4

Friday Social Lunch 10.30am - 2pm

9 Remedial Kane 10am - 3pm Lomi Lomi Marc 6pm - 7pm Eden Garden Working Day Behind the Uniting Church at 56 Raglan St Waterloo 9.30am

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Fri

HWP XMAS PARTY HWP Xmas Party 10.30am - 2pm Planet Positive 6pm - 10pm

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17/18 CLOSED UNTIL MONDAY 9 JANUARY 2012

24/25 CHRISTMAS

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31 New Years Eve

important HOLIDAY INFOrmation

SERVice organisations ACON Open Friday 23 December, 9:00 - 5:00pm Closed Saturday 24 Dec to Monday 2 Jan 2012 Open Tuesday 3 January 2012 9:00 - 5:00pm Tel: 02 9206 2000 Web: www.acon.org.au

Positive Life NSW Open Re-opens Tel: Web:

Friday 23 December Tuesday 3 January 2012 9361 6011 www.positivelife.org.au

9:00 – 12:00pm 9:00 – 5:00pm

Positive Central Service Hours & Contact Details over Christmas and New Year Holiday Season 2011/2012 The end of year holiday season can be a very busy time of year.

While many find this time of year enjoyable, many can also find this time stressful. With all the fuss and stress it can be easy to forget to see your doctor and organise your medication so that you have enough to get you through the break.

To make sure that you have enough medication to cover you until well into the New Year, check how much you have and make arrangements ASAP to get your prescriptions filled.

Many HIV services including the pharmacies that dispense HIV Treatments close during the end of year holiday season. To assist you we have compiled information to plan for this time of year so that you don’t run out of medication.

If you do run short for any reason, please go to the Emergency Department of your closest major hospital with your script or empty medication jar or box. The staff will dispense enough medication to cover you until you can see your usual clinical team.

Remember that this is a very busy time of year for HIV services, so try and organise everything you need now in order to allow HIV services to cater for emergencies when they occur.

Open Friday 23 December 9:00 - 5:00pm Closed Saturday 24 Dec to Tuesday 27 Dec Open Wednesday 28 December 9:00 - 5:00pm Open Thursday 29 December 9:00 - 5:00pm Closed Friday 30 December Re-opens Tuesday 3 January 2012 9:00 – 5:00pm Note - Referrals can be made to Positive Central on 9395 0444 and will be responded to in the usual timeframes Tel: 02 9345 0444

HIV Community Team (SESIAHS) Open Closed Closed Open Open Closed Re-opens Tel:

Friday 23 December Monday 26 December Tuesday 27 December Wednesday 28 December Thursday 29 December Friday 30 December Tuesday 3 January 2012 02 8305 3800

8:00 – 4:30pm 8:00 - 4:30pm 8:00 - 4:30pm 8:00 – 4:30pm

BGF Open Friday 23 December 9:00 – 12noon Re-opens Tuesday 3 January 2012 9:00 – 5:00pm Note: Bills for payment/financial assistance must be received

by BGF by midday of Wednesday 14 December to ensure payment before Christmas Tel: 02 9283 8666 Web: www.bgf.org.au

Multicultural HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis C Service Open Friday 23 December Re-opens Tuesday 3 January 2012 Tel: 02 3515 5030 Web: www.multiculturalhivhepc.net.au

9:00 – 4:00pm 9:00 – 4:00pm

Heterosexual HIV/AIDS Service (PozHets) Open Closed Open Open Closed Re-opens

Friday 23 December, 9:00 - 5:00pm Saturday 24 Dec to Tuesday 27 Dec Wednesday 28 December 9:00 - 5:00pm Thursday 29 December 9:00 - 5:00pm Friday 30 December Tuesday 3 January 2012 9:00 – 5:00pm

Note - Referrals can be made to Pozhets on 1800812 404 and will be responded to in the usual timeframes Tel: 02 9345 0444 Web: www.pozhet.org.au 10

HIV Wellness Program - Email: hwp@acon.org.au

Pharmacies Albion Street Centre Pharmacy

St George Hospital Pharmacy

Open Friday 23 December Closed Monday 26 December Closed Tuesday 27 December Emergency services only Wednesday 28 December 9:00 – 3:45pm Thursday 29 December 9:00 – 3:00pm Closed Friday 30 December Re-open Tuesday 3 January 2012

Open Re-opens Tel:

9:00 - 3:45pm

Friday 23 December 10:00 to 5:00pm Tuesday 3rd January 2012 10:00 to 5:00pm 02 9113 3055

St Vincent’s Hospital Pharmacy 9:00 – 3:45pm

Note: Pharmacy will be also be closed on Thursday 26 January 2012 (Australia Day) Tel: 02 9332 9650

Open Friday 23 December, 9:00am to 5:00pm Closed Saturday 24 Dec to Tuesday 27 Dec Open Wednesday 28 December 9:00am to 5:00pm Open Thursday 29 December 9:00am to 7:00pm Closed Friday 30 December Re-opens Tuesday 3 January 2012 Tel: 02 8382 1111 (switch)

Parramatta Community Health Centre Open Friday 23 December 9:00 to 4:00pm Closed Saturday 24 December Re-open Tuesday 9th January 2012 9:00 to 4:00pm For urgent medical advice please call Westmead Hospital 02 9845 5555

westmead mospital Pharmacy Re-open normal time Wednesday 4th January 2012 For urgent medical advice please call Westmead Hospital 02 9845 5555

NSW Regional Pharmacies

Mt Druitt

Lismore Base Hospital Pharmacy

Open Friday 23 December 9:00 to 4:00pm Re-open Monday 16 January 2012 9.00am For urgent medical advice please call Westmead Hospital 02 9845 5555

Open Friday 23 December 9:00 - 5:00pm Closed Saturday 24 Dec to Tuesday 27 Dec Open Wednesday 28 December 9:00 - 5:00pm Open Thursday 29 December 9:00 - 5:00pm Closed Friday 30 December Re-opens Tuesday 3 January 2012 9:00 - 5:00pm Tel: 02 6620 2477

Prince of Wales Hospital Pharmacy Open Closed Open Open Closed Re-opens

Friday 23 December 9:00 - 4:00pm Saturday 24 Dec to Tuesday 27 Dec Wednesday 28 December 9:00 - 4:00pm Thursday 29 December 9:00 - 4:00pm Friday 30 December Tuesday 3 January 2012 9:00 - 4:00pm

Note: Pharmacy closes everyday between 1pm-2pm Tel: 02 9382 2335

Royal North Shore Hospital Pharmacy

Coffs Harbour Base Hospital Pharmacy Open Friday 23 December 8:30 – 4:15pm Closed Saturday 24 Dec to Tuesday 27 Dec Open Wednesday 28 December 8:30 – 4:15pm Open Thursday 29 December 8:30 – 4:15pm Closed Friday 30 December Re-opens Tuesday 3 January 2012 8:30 – 4:15pm Tel: 02 6656 7472

Wollongong Hospital Pharmacy

Open Friday 23 December 8:30 - 5:00pm Closed Saturday 24 Dec to Tuesday 27 Dec Open Wednesday 28 December 8:30 - 5.00pm Open Thursday 29 December 8:30 - 5.00pm Closed Friday 30 December Re-opens Tuesday 3 January 2012 8:30 - 5:00pm Note: Pharmacy closes everyday between 1:00 – 2:00pm Tel: 02 9926 7015

Open Friday 23 December 9:00 - 4:30pm Closed Saturday 24 Dec to Tuesday 27 Dec Open Wednesday 28 December 9:00 - 4.30pm Open Thursday 29 December 9:00 - 4.30pm Closed Friday 30 December Re-opens Tuesday 3 January 2012 9:00 – 4:30pm Tel: 02 8382 1111 (switch)

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Pharmacy

John Hunter Hospital Pharmacy

Open Closed Open Open Closed Re-opens Tel:

Open Closed Open Open Closed Re-opens Tel:

Friday 23 December 8:00 - 5:00pm Saturday 24 Dec to Tuesday 27 Dec Wednesday 28 December 8:00 - 5:00pm Thursday 29 December 8:00 - 7:00pm Friday 30 December Tuesday 3 January 2012 8:00 – 5:00pm 02 9515 8617

HIV Wellness Program - Email: hwp@acon.org.au

Friday 23 December 8:45 - 6:00 pm Saturday 24 Dec to Tuesday 27 Dec Wednesday 28 December 8:45 - 6:00 pm Thursday 29 December 8:45 - 6:00 pm Friday 30 December Tuesday 3 January 2012 8:45 – 6:00pm 02 4921 3635

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EMERGENCY NUMBERS Emergency Police Fire and Ambulance

000

PEP - NSW PEP Hotline

1800 737 669

Depression Lifeline

13 11 14

Medication Information St Vincent’s HIV Treatments Information Line

1800 454 510

Alcohol & Drug Information Service

1800 422 599

Darlinghurst Community Health Centre

8382 1990

Gay Men’s Health Line

1800 009 448

NSW Sexual Health Infoline

1800 451 624

St Vincent’s Mental Health Crisis Team 02 8382 1911 New HIV Diagnosis Hotline Albion street Centre

02 9332 9700

Counselling Albion Street Clinic 02 9332 9600 / 1090 Medication St Vincent’s Hospital Emergency Department

02 8382 1111

STI Testing Sydney Sexual Health Clinic 1800 451 624 Ambulance Bookings Gay & Lesbian Counselling Service

13 12 33 02 8594 9596 /1800 184 527

Poisons Information Hotline Rape Crisis Centre

13 11 26

02 9819 6565 / 1800 424 187

Salvation Army

1300 363 622

WORLD AIDS DAY THURSDAY 1 DECEMBER 2011 Thursday 1 December 2011 is World AIDS Day and the day of New South Wales’ Red Ribbon Appeal. The Red Ribbon is the international symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness and is the original ribbon used to promote awareness and support of a worthy cause.

The money we raise through the sale of red ribbons and Red Ribbon merchandise is vital to the work of ACON as it helps us prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS through education campaigns as well as to provide the services and facilities essential to the health and wellbeing of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS across NSW.

VOLUNTEER TO SELL RED RIBBONS ON WORLD AIDS DAY AND FRIDAY 2 December 2011 We encourage you to volunteer with a friend or in a group for a fabulous day out. This year we have setup a Team Registration option, so that you can ensure you’ll meet your friends easily and receive a total amount raised by your Team. You can also still volunteer as an individual and make some new friends on the day!

The Red Ribbon is the international symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness. Funds raised support ACON in providing expanded services and programs vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities across NSW. To donate or volunteer to sell red ribbons, visit:

www.redribbonday.org.au/#volunteer

IMPORTANT DAtes to Remember HWP Volunteer Xmas Party Tues 13 Dec 2011 6pm, Wellness Café Complementary Therapies close Thurs 15 Dec 2011 HWP Xmas Party

Fri 16 Dec 2011 12 noon, Wellness Café

Monday Luncheon Club

Mon 19 Dec 2011, 12 noon, Wellness Cafe

HIV Wellness Program closes Tues 20 Dec 2011 ACON closes

ACON EVENTS for world aids day 2011 ACON (formerly the AIDS Council of NSW) is inviting people across NSW to participate in a range of events to mark this year’s World AIDS Day (Thu 1 Dec).

For more information and to book tickets, visit:

http://www.acon.org.au/about-acon/Newsroom/MediaReleases/2011/50

Fri 23 Dec 2011

ACON reopens Tues 3 Jan 2012

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HIV Wellness Program reopens

Mon 9 Jan 2012

Complementary Therapies reopen

Mon 9 Jan 2012 HIV Wellness Program - Email: hwp@acon.org.au