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Stigma in health services undermines diagnosis, treatment and successful health outcomes for all communities, but especially for those affected by blood‐borne viruses and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study sought to examine experiences in accessing and receiving health services, including what characteristics promoted better health, safety and well‐being for people with blood‐borne viruses or STIss. It conducted 46 in‐depth interviews with people who inject drugs, gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, people in custodial settings, culturally and linguistically diverse people, Indigenous Australians and young people in one Australian urban community setting. Findings reveal that stigma persists in the provision of healthcare services, and that previous experiences of discrimination or fear of mistreatment may result in a reluctance to continue to access services. On‐going staff training and education are important to ensure healthcare environments are welcoming and inclusive. Specialised services and services that employed peers were seen as favourable. Attending different services for different health needs created particular access challenges and undermined participant ability to engage in more holistic healthcare. The fragmented structure of health services was thus seen as a barrier to accessing health services, and stronger collaboration between health services is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the key issues in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment sector concerns the reported difficulties that clients have in accessing treatment. This paper draws on qualitative interview data collected from clients undergoing treatment (n = 20) and stakeholders (n = 15) of five specialist non‐government AOD treatment services in New South Wales, Australia, to offer an in‐depth perspective about treatment entry experiences. We identified four key themes of positive treatment entry experiences: the presence of high‐quality online information which enabled clients to best match themselves to treatment; flexible and simple intake procedures with skilled and welcoming staff; the presence and quality of social and other resources (such as families, peers and private health insurance) which enabled quicker access; and prior experience in the treatment system which helped clients to gain important knowledge and skills to improve future access. We discuss implications of these findings, including that waiting lists significantly exacerbate inequity, but that this could be ameliorated by providing peer‐support to those trying to gain entry, especially clients who do not have family and friends for help during this period. The findings also point to the way that client self‐determination is central to all positive treatment entry experiences, and that supporting clients to find 'the right fit' in relation to treatment options improves their experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally recognised that engaging consumers to participate in policy making, programming, and practice is fundamental to effective alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment, however, literature continues to document challenges and barriers to its implementation in AOD settings. This study reports on an evaluation of the Consumer Participation Project implemented in key non‐government AOD services in Australia. Data collection consisted of an online survey of 86 staff members at the five participating AOD services and 27 consumer interviews. The survey examined staff attitudes towards and beliefs about consumer participation, perceived current levels of consumer participation and service changes as a result of the consumer participation project. The qualitative arm explored consumer's prior knowledge and current experiences of consumer participation. Staff who took part in the consumer participation training offered as part of the project were more likely to believe that service changes could encourage greater consumer participation rather than any barriers associated with consumer circumstances. Additionally, while services offered low‐level involvement consumer activities, there were fewer examples of mid‐ and high‐level activities being conducted at the different services. Consumers discussed the significance of being actively involved in their AOD treatment service while stressing the importance of proper training and support for those engaging in consumer participation. This research highlights the benefits of consumer participation in AOD treatment and suggests that most consumer participation activities undertaken at present are "low" level involvement concerned with providing and receiving information from consumers. Importantly, however, our study did demonstrate some support for "high" level involvement activities and service providers being open to doing more to encourage consumer participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]