The preparation and production of the competencies has been funded through a grant from the Department of Health.

NHIVNA is pleased to announce the publication of the National HIV Nursing Competencies, a new document by the National HIV Nurses Association. The National HIV Nursing Competencies were developed through a wide consultation process and were launched at the 9th Annual Conference of the National HIV Nurses Association on 28 June 2007 in London. This tool is intended to:

• Assess and guide nursing competence in the field of HIV care in the UK, and be utilised in the mapping and planning of HIV nursing careers.
• Indicate the specific knowledge and skills required by individual nurses caring for people living with HIV/AIDS, thereby improving equity and quality of patient care.
• Complement and be used alongside the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework.
• Be used at national network, service and individual levels.
• The structure of the competencies is as follows:

Generic HIV Competencies

• Assessing health and well-being
• Health promotion
• Management of antiretroviral therapy
• Working in partnerships including clinical networks and multidisciplinary working

Specialist HIV Competencies

• Clinical Trials
• HIV Inpatients
• HIV Outpatients
• Paediatric

We appreciate your support in implementing these National HIV Nursing Competencies locally across your clinical areas where HIV patients are cared for. Microsoft Word versions of the competencies will be available to download shortly.