Reducing stigma and prejudice is a must, says Jane Hutt AM

A respite centre for people with HIV and Aids will have to lay off another worker in a week which sees World Aids Day commemorated.

The Tyddyn Bach Trust in Penmaenmawr has already laid off another worker in the last eight weeks as it struggles with funding and was facing the possibility of closure before being given a �130,000 lifeline by the Welsh assembly.

New figures released on World Aids Day shows 71 people in Wales were newly-diagnosed as having HIV in 2002, compared to 65 in 2001 and 46 in 2000.

Tyddyn Bach Trust chairman Dean Horsfield said their work is needed more than ever because the number of new cases is soaring - with many new cases among heterosexual women.

It's not just affecting young people on holiday, it's more about people going through a mid-life crisis, people who didn't grow up with HIV or Aids and go out like they are 16-year-olds Dean Horsfield, Tyddyn Bach charity chairman

"People come to us for respite care, they come from anywhere in the UK - we are the only respite centre of its kind in England and Wales," he said.

Mr Horsfield says they also give out information on HIV and Aids over the phone and give talks in schools.

"Some pupils are very up on it but one or two schools don't know anything - some pupils even think there is a cure," he added.

Of the rise among heterosexual woman, he said: "HIV and Aids are not gay issues and they're not drug issues.

"It's not just affecting young people on holiday, it's more about people going through a mid-life crisis, people who didn't grow up with HIV or Aids and go out like they are 16-year-olds."

Trust's development

As for funding, the charity aims to develop the centre's building and attract the general public by offering alternative therapy clinics.

Initially, the charity aims to raise �50,000 to put in a car park.

Meeting the needs of people with HIV and Aids is also behind the driving force of a new group which has its inaugural meeting on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the North Wales HIV Network will meet for the first time to discuss the rise in newly-diagnosed cases.

One of the network's experts, Dr Olwen Williams, a consultant genito-urinary physician at Wrexham Maelor hospital, said they will be looking at how to cope with the rise - and the ongoing needs of people affected.

She said 20 years on from the first recognised cases of HIV, stigma is still an issue.

Health minister Jane Hutt said the assembly put �3m towards sexual health over the last three years.

A review of sexual health services is underway and a report is to be published next autumn.