The upcoming Ministry of Health contracted David Miller Report on the services for people with HIV has been a case in point. The gay media have carried a number of stories on this and related items such as Collective Thinking that have generated a lot of interest, some confusion and some strong opinions about the NZAF (and no, we haven’t seen the Miller report yet - in draft or completed!). No matter how many press releases we send out to the gay media it can still look like we have nothing to say or appear at best inane or bland. As a result a number of staff and supporters have told me how they feel it is ‘unfair’ that NZAF seems to be getting the ‘bash’ from gay media when they see the great work we are doing (e.g. Increased HIV Rapid tests, GiO events swamped). How they feel matters to me a great deal. I know that the success of NZAF relies so much on our safe sex champions in our communities, both volunteers and staff. Clearly if they think how we are presented is unfair we need to try and do things differently.
So …. another opportunity to do better! One of the ideas we have had to increase the ways we get the ‘NZAF word’ out is to use this blog regularly and have the Chair, Trustees and other staff say what they want others to hear. We have also started a new email ‘NZAF Alert’ to supporters so they get the press releases and latest Blog fast (if you want to get this alert send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).
Another is to ask you how you think we could do better in getting our messages and views out? All ideas gratefully received! http://www.nzaf.org.nz/about-us/item/contact-us/
Lastly, I include here part of an email with thoughts I shared with the positive groups back in April. My thoughts are the same now and as we read yet more on the same story from April on ‘Who should produce Collective Thinking’ and wait for the Miller report it seems a good idea to share them now.
‘Perhaps it is time to be bold and brave, each of us, and recognise that there is a need to independently assess what positive people need, what service has the skills and expertise to deliver what components of those needs.
That we use external non partial evidence and research - not emotions, or a wish to keep/build our jobs/organisation’s profile or rely on historical assumptions - to do this. That we make sure that not just the loudest voices are heard and we look for those with the highest need based on evidence. Not be limited by a personal/organisational view that ‘we are best’. I mean all of us in this - not ‘you/PLWHA orgs’ or ‘us/NZAF’. We need to prioritise what is in the best interest of a person with HIV – not in the interest of NZAF, BP, PW INA, APP or any other ‘interest’ group that may emerge. It may well end up with us all hosting positive people’s web spaces – it happens like this in other countries – is that a ‘bad’ thing? I have no idea.
Fundamentally I want the best for people living with HIV in NZ – however I would be very concerned if the decision for support services provider(s) was made just on the size of the organisation (NZAF) and/or whether it was solely run by HIV positive people.’
Ngā mihi nui
Rachael Le Mesurier
