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Information for healthcare workers affected by HIV

This information is provided as guidance for any healthcare workers worried about HIV. It is not intended to replace professional medical or legal advice.

“So what if someone is HIV positive? There’s no reason why that person can’t be a nurse.”

Jason Warriner, Chair of the Royal College of Nursing

All doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, medical students or any other health workers should be aware of the Department of Health guidelines relating to HIV infected healthcare workers (external link, new window will open).

Can I work in the health service if I’m HIV positive?

Yes. There are many healthcare workers who have successful careers in the health service.

All medical professionals should use Universal Medical Precautions and infection control procedures at all times, no matter what their HIV status.

A HIV diagnosis is not a barrier to working as a medical professional, but there are limitations in some fields of medicine.

These limitations apply to health care workers involved in Exposure Prone Procedures.

Cover of Positive NationThere are certain procedures that a healthcare living with HIV cannot perorm, but the majority of healthcare positions have no limitations for people living with HIV.

There are many healthcare workers living with HIV, who have succesful careers within the health service.

Read their stories on the Positive Nation website.

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What are defined as Exposure Prone Procedures?

The Department of Health defines Exposure Prone Procedures as:

“Exposure prone procedures are those invasive procedures where there is a risk that injury to the worker may result in the exposure of the patient’s open tissues to the blood of the worker (bleed-back).

“These include procedures where the worker’s gloved hands may be in contact with sharp instruments, needle tips or sharp tissues (e.g. spicules of bone or teeth) inside a patient’s open body cavity, wound or confined anatomical space where the hands or fingertips may not be completely visible at all times.

“However, other situations, such as pre-hospital trauma care should be avoided by health care workers restricted from performing exposure prone procedures, as they could also result in the exposure of the patient’s open tissues to the blood of the worker.”

They do not include:

The only positions in the health service that routinely perform Exposure Prone Procedures are:

If you are involved in Exposure Prone Procedures and you find out that you are HIV positive, it is essential that you seek confidential advice immediately. Your employer should give you the option to retrain and be redeployed in another discipline.

Do I have to disclose my HIV positive status if I am a healthcare worker?

Unless you are performing Exposure Prone Procedures there is no legal obligation to disclose your HIV status. However you should make the decision for yourself, but seek advice. The RCN counselling service can offer confidential advice for their members on 0845 772 6100.

The advice given by the Department of Health is that you should discuss your HIV status with your Occupational Health Department.

If you do not wish to put this in writing on a medical questionnaire, you are entitled to tell Occupational Health verbally.

Your confidentiality should be protected at all times, and most of the time there should be no need to involve your line manager.

If you are worried about disclosure, contact us for advice.

Where do I stand legally?

If you are living with HIV you are protected by the Disability Discrimination Act from the point of diagnosis.

This means that you are legally protected from discrimination or harassment because of your HIV status.

For more information, see the section on the Disability Discrimination Act.