The main mission of St Stephen’s AIDS Trust is the improvement of treatment for HIV-infected patients through research into new drugs and best practice. To this end, we continue to be active in antiretroviral research and to work collaboratively across disciplines, institutions and national boundaries to meet the challenges of drug resistance. As HIV mutates faster than any other virus, many HIV-infected patients become more immune resistant over the years. Our research department in the St Stephen's Centre provides people with the opportunity to try and trial new drug combinations and our dedicated team ensures that everyone attending the unit is fully informed and supported at every stage of their visit. Our core areas of clinical trials are antiretroviral therapy and toxicity management, and many of our studies have met with considerable acclaim.

In addition to our research work, the charity works with Chelsea and Westminster Hospital's HIV/GUM Unit to provide training of the highest quality and greatest relevance to a wide range of healthcare professionals. Our courses are continuously under review to ensure they meet the changing needs of today's National Health Service and that delegates are provided with the most up to date and relevant information in all issues relating to HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections. For more information about all our courses click here.

The charity firmly believes that encouraging best treatment through the developing world is an important part of its role and in reflection of this, the charity's education and training work has now expanded beyond the UK.  We have an active programme of education and skills exchange, both through workshops and extended study visits for individuals and groups who come to us in London, and by our travelling for workshops and teaching visits abroad, in particular Vietnam, China and sub-Saharan Africa. For more information on our international work click here.