Archive of MEDFASH

The following is an interim description which may change when detailed cataloguing takes place in future:

Archive of MEDFASH from inception in 1987 to closure in 2016, including articles, leaflets, standards, guidelines, reports, papers re funding and funders, material relating to projects MEDFASH ran or was involved in (e.g. NHS HIV service standards and networks project, projects on HIV testing, standards for management of STIs, standards for HIV hospital care, GUM clinics), papers relating to meetings, seminars and conferences MEDFASH organised, participated in or attended, papers relating to 'Halve It' campaign, MEDFASH publications, correspondence, board minutes, consultation papers, policy papers.

The collection also contains a great deal of material (mostly publications and grey literature) relating to and generated by other organisations relevant to the work of MEDFASH, notably BHIVA, BMA, BASSH, Department of Health, RCGPs, NAM, Terence Higgins Trust, Men's Health Forum, Family Planning Association, Health Protection Agency, i-Base, Positively Women.

Formats include hard copy/paper, grey literature, publications, posters, display material, audio visual material, CDs and DVDs, some artefacts.

1980s-2016

Uncatalogued: 53 transfer boxes, 1 o/s folder, 11 VHS, 3 umatic, 1 audio cassette, 2303 digital files, 4 DCS, 2 CD-As, 11 CD-Roms, 2 DVDs and 8 (5 1/4") floppy disks

Presented to the library at Wellcome Collection by Chief Executive of MEDFASH, Ruth Lowbury, 20/12/2016.

MEFASH has its origins in a charity founded in 1987 by Dr John Marks and Dr John Dawson, as The British Medical Association (BMA) Foundation for AIDS. The charity worked closely with the BMA and other medical organisations to promote an enlightened medical view of HIV and AIDS, at a time when ignorance and fear of the disease were widespread, focussing on ethical issues such as confidentiality and consent to testing, access to HIV treatment and human rights for people living with HIV.

In 2002 the charity adopted the name Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health, to reflect more accurately its independent role and evolving strategic priorities. Over the next decade it managed a range of major projects, many to support implementation of the national sexual health and HIV strategy in England. In 2009 it became involved in similar work at European level.

In 2012 the organisation embarked on the process of incorporating the charity and rebranded again to become MEDFASH (the Medical Foundation for HIV & Sexual Health).

The charity closed in 2016 due to lack of funding continuation.

MEDFASH was an independent charity dedicated to improving HIV and sexual healthcare, supporting and guiding health professionals and policy makers. MEDFASH worked with experts from a range of disciplines to promote understanding and good practice across the fields of sexual and reproductive health and HIV treatment and care. Their approach was evidence-led and its work drove and influenced policy, service development and service delivery. Recognised for its ability to bring together stakeholders and facilitate consensus, MEDFASH was also known for effective programme and project management and the consistently high quality of our outputs. MEDFASH outputs included standards and guidance, educational resources, training courses, policy reviews and analysis, service mapping and reviews, and local facilitation. The charity was committed to producing outputs of practical value and utility for those working on the ground to improve HIV and sexual healthcare.

Source (and further information on MEDFASH): http://www.medfash.org.uk/ (legacy website available until Dec 2018).

Retained by MEDFASH.

This collection is currently uncatalogued and cannot be ordered online. Requests to view uncatalogued material are considered on a case by case basis. Please contact collections@wellcomecollection.org for more details.