A nurse who has spent more than 20 years helping people with HIV has won an award.

Anna Bamford, HIV clinical services manager at Sussex Community NHS Trust, has been given the 2013 HIV Nursing Award by the National HIV Nurses Association.

Mrs Bamford has been working in the field of HIV nursing since 1989.

She started her career on an inpatient unit at Westminster Hospital as a staff nurse and then led the establishment of a dedicated HIV unit in Ealing.

Mrs Bamford moved to Brighton in 1998 to work as a clinical nurse specialist, developing HIV care in the community.

She now leads the trust’s newly-expanded community HIV specialist service covering Brighton and Hove and West Sussex.

Her work includes home nursing visits and health checks and access to other services for adults living with HIV.

Mrs Bamford said: “It really is wonderful to be recognised for all my work in this way.

“As my career reflects, the management and care of people living with HIV has changed dramatically over the years.

“Now, thanks to new medication available, patients can be supported at home rather than staying in hospital. “

HIV is similar to a chronic disease and our patients will often need support and care for related health issues and medication management.

“I’m pleased that our service continues to diversify to meet the needs of our patients living with this complex disease.”