BBC NEWS A man who alleged he was discriminated against because he was HIV positive has received £4,000 and an apology.
Tony Bell's court challenge to the standard of care he received from Craigavon Area Hospital was supported by the Equality Commission for NI.
Staff refused to perform an endoscopy on him and the Southern Health Trust said it was because of his HIV status.
The trust said that this was "entirely inappropriate" and it regretted the distress caused to Mr Bell.
Mr Bell underwent an alternative form of examination which was not completed until four months later.
"The hospital has confirmed to me that they have the facilities and appropriate procedures in place to perform endoscopy on HIV patients and I believe that they should have followed those procedures in my case and respected my dignity as a patient in their care.
"Thankfully my treatment has now been completed but I wouldn't want other HIV patients to go through a similar experience."
The trust, in settling the County Court case brought under the Disability Discrimination Act, apologised to Mr Bell for the injury to his feelings and distress experienced by him as a result.
It also agreed to undertake a review of any policies which touch upon the issue of service provision for HIV patients.
"The trust is committed to treating all patients who need our help, and we have an excellent record in improving access to our services for patients with a range of disabilities."
Equality Commission casework director Anne McKernan said people with HIV were given clear protection from discrimination under changes introduced in 2007.
All well and good, an apology is apt, but it shouldn’t have happened in the first place, where were the supervisors or managers when the decision not to treat was made? Probably in their nice air-con offices drinking bottled water.
“It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.” Josiah Charles Stamp
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
NHS Behind the headlines
Angus Dei politico
Tony Bell's court challenge to the standard of care he received from Craigavon Area Hospital was supported by the Equality Commission for NI.
Staff refused to perform an endoscopy on him and the Southern Health Trust said it was because of his HIV status.
The trust said that this was "entirely inappropriate" and it regretted the distress caused to Mr Bell.
Mr Bell underwent an alternative form of examination which was not completed until four months later.
"The hospital has confirmed to me that they have the facilities and appropriate procedures in place to perform endoscopy on HIV patients and I believe that they should have followed those procedures in my case and respected my dignity as a patient in their care.
"Thankfully my treatment has now been completed but I wouldn't want other HIV patients to go through a similar experience."
The trust, in settling the County Court case brought under the Disability Discrimination Act, apologised to Mr Bell for the injury to his feelings and distress experienced by him as a result.
It also agreed to undertake a review of any policies which touch upon the issue of service provision for HIV patients.
"The trust is committed to treating all patients who need our help, and we have an excellent record in improving access to our services for patients with a range of disabilities."
Equality Commission casework director Anne McKernan said people with HIV were given clear protection from discrimination under changes introduced in 2007.
All well and good, an apology is apt, but it shouldn’t have happened in the first place, where were the supervisors or managers when the decision not to treat was made? Probably in their nice air-con offices drinking bottled water.
“It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.” Josiah Charles Stamp
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
NHS Behind the headlines
Angus Dei politico
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