About Us
This page may answer some of your questions about the Network and how to use this Website. If you have other questions, suggestions or comments please contact us on Network Email.
- What is a service Network?
- What is South West London HIV & GUM Clinical Services Network?
- Why form a Network?
- Who runs the Network?
- SWAGNET
Annual Reports
2003 - 2004
2005 - 2006
2007 - 2008
What is a service Network?
Our working definition of a Network is "a collaborative partnership of professionals (both commissioner and provider) working in a coordinated manner, unconstrained by existing professional and organisational boundaries to ensure patient-focused high quality, effective, equitable services."
What is the South West London HIV & GUM Clinical Services Network?
The South West London HIV & GUM Clinical Services Network is a joint initiative of adult HIV and Genito-Urinary Medicine Services provided at Kingston Hospital, Mayday Hospital, Queen Mary's Hospital, St George's Hospital (CIU & GUM) & St Helier Hospital.
The Network also links with Commissioners as well as Community HIV Nurse specialists, Health Promotion and the HIV voluntary sector. The Network will link into the broader sexual health agenda through the Sexual Health Expert Advisory Group which is chaired by Yvonne Young CDSC and will encompass primary care and family planning services.
To view our 3rd Annual Report click here
Why form a Network?
Networks are a way of formalising what we are doing anyway in the NHS - working together to provide effective services for patients. Clinical networks facilitate a coordinated approach to service delivery across a larger population and help to break down barriers and engender teamwork. Clinical Networks have been formed in a number of specialties (e.g. cancer services) and have resulted in significant improvements in service delivery for patients and in job satisfaction for service providers. The Department of Health recognises the strong benefits of clinical networks and is encouraging other specialties to develop networks.
HIV and GUM services are ideally suited to the formation of service Networks. In July 1998 "Developing Service Networks for HIV Care in London" proposed that HIV service Networks should be established in the 5 London sectors - South-West, South-East, North-West, North-Central & North-East. The South West London HIV & GUM Commissioning Consortium has been working with service providers over the last couple of years to enable a service network to be established in South West London. We are the first London sector to establish a formal cross-sector HIV service network. Network development also concurs recommendations from the Department of Health and the Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health.
Who runs the Network?
Leadership of the Network is currently provided by Allison Beardall & Susie McMorrow, Consultant GU Physicians at Kingston Hospital. Mark Pakianathan, Consultant GU Physician at St George's Hospital is Deputy Lead Clinician. Janine Railton was appointed as Network Development Manager in October 2003. The structure and priorities of the Network have been agreed by a Steering Group which is chaired by Mark Pakianathan with representation from all units and professional groups as well as commissioners and public health. The membership of the Steering Group and minutes of Steering Group meetings can be viewed via the Subgroups page.
Administrative support is provided by Leanne Bobb - Network Administrator and one session per week by Bruna Armanini-Teslich, secretary at Roehampton Clinic. This website is written and maintained by Paul Lister with some items provided from the St George's GUM intranet by Richard Lau.