(From Left) NAPWA Treatments Co-convenor Bill Whittaker, NAPWA President Robert Mitchell, ASHM President Jonathan Anderson and NAPWA EO Jo Watson at the Treataware Project launch.

NAPWA’s Treataware Project, a phone line, clinical trials website and booklet giving advice on treatments and living well with HIV, was launched by Dr Jonathan Anderson, President of ASHM on May 19 in Sydney.

“The Treataware project is about encouraging people with HIV to be informed, empowered and involved in their health care decision making,” said NAPWA Health and Treatments Co-convenor Bill Whittaker. “It is to help them to know the basics about HIV; to know the issues about when to consider treatment; and to know the best options for maximising their health and wellbeing.”

“The project consists of three components. The Treataware info line is a national, free, and confidential service where trained HIV treatment educators provide information about treatment, health planning and related health issues to people living with HIV.

“The second is the Clinical Trials Website. Its purpose is to provide an independent, central information point about HIV clinical trials that positive people can go to.

“There is also a Checklist Guide to getting the best health care. This printed booklet takes people step by step through the key issues that they should consider in health planning and decision- making. It covers issues like when to start treatment, adherence, how often various clinical checks are needed, safe sex and injecting; and steps to support general health and wellbeing.”

The Treataware infoline 1800 817 713 is available 2pm-7pm EST, Monday to Friday.

The clinical trials database and the Treataware checklist guide can both be found at http://treataware.info. Also see http://au.youtube.com/user/treataware.