The Royal College of Physicians Heritage library, Archive and Museum are seeking to collect objects, documents and publications to reflect the experiences of physicians delivering HIV/AIDS care and people living with HIV/AIDS.

We aim to collect objects and stories that share the impact of HIV/AIDS from the 1980s until present day. By donating, you will be preserving these stories for future generations.

Due to space limitations, we may not be able to accept all donations, but all offers will be considered with respect and care. We welcome donations of material from everyone, including people from marginalised groups.

Donations will be retained permanently as a historical record and may be used in exhibitions, RCP history blog, social media, research, and any other archive, heritage library and museum activity.

*What we are looking to collect

*This list is for guidance, so if you have anything you think might be relevant to donate, please feel free to let us know.

Objects related to:

• Diagnosing and treating HIV/AIDS (HIV testing kit)
• Packaging samples of medicine (antiretroviral drugs, emergency HIV drugs, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP))
• Personal objects that represent living with HIV/AIDS (e.g. artwork, clothing, poetry, living aids)
• Awareness, activism and protest (e.g. badges, banners, costume, posters, stickers)

Publications:

• Printed books such as textbooks or handbooks on all aspects of the study, diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS, especially out-of-date and obsolete works

• Printed ephemera such as patient information leaflets, including out-of-date examples

  

Aids, Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention, 1988

Original records:

• Diaries/blogs/etc; letters/emails/text messages/etc; photos (paper or digital) of patients recording their experiences of being diagnosed/treated for / living with HIV/AIDS  
• Diaries/blogs/etc; letters/emails/text messages/etc; photos (paper or digital) of physicians or physician associates recording their experiences of working in this field
• Research notes (paper or digital) of physicians recording their research into HIV/AIDS
• Patient case records (paper or digital) of HIV/AIDS patients (everything in the archives including these is subject to closure periods up to 100 years in compliance with GDPR)
• Working papers and draft reports (paper or digital) relating to the development of policies/practices/etc around the treatment of HIV/AIDS and people with HIV/AIDS

• All donated material will be managed in accordance with GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. We are more than happy to talk through any concerns you may have about the sensitivity of information contained in donated material.

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How to get in touch:

Please provide a description of what you wish to donate, along with a photograph and email: history@rcp.ac.uk