BBC News | WALES | HIV charity's funding crisis

A Cheshire-based charity which helps HIV patients from north Wales is warning it will have to withdraw the bulk of its services from April next year unless it gets funding from Wales.

Chester-based Body Positive takes a third of its clients from Wales but is almost entirely funded by an English consortium - led by South Cheshire Health Authority.

The agencies that provide the funding say they cannot afford to subsidise Welsh patients any longer.

Body Positive, which has 25 clients from north Wales, costs around �100,000 a year to run - but receives just �500 from Wales - from Denbighshire Social Services.

Roger Ashman from Body Positive Cheshire said he acknowledged the predicament of the English agencies funding his charity.

North Wales Health Authority: Considering application
"They are subsidising the Welsh clients," said Mr Ashman.

"It's obviously really important that this issue is given serious consideration because our Cheshire-based funders are now saying they can't support Welsh clients any more.

"Without further funding, services to north Wales will be seriously at risk," he added.

Mr Ashman said it was essential for agencies in north Wales to consider how they can support the work of a charity based over the border.

He said many HIV-positive clients preferred to travel to the office in Chester because it provides additional anonymity.

People are afraid to use services in north Wales because of the stigma associated with HIV and the fear of persecution in the local community.

A spokesman for North Wales Health Authority said a funding application from Body Positive Cheshire was currently under consideration.


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