Testing for HIV whenever blood is taken in England – regardless of the person’s gender, ethnicity or sexuality – is crucial to meet the Government’s pledge to end new HIV cases by its 2030 goal.
That’s the step change being called for by England’s first ever HIV Commission, which has released 20 clear recommendations to meet a target that will see no new cases past 2030.
Winchester’s MP, Steve Brine, set-up the group while Public Health Minister and subsequently worked as part of it to produce its’ report after leaving Government last year.
Mr Brine used a special debate in the House of Commons, timed to coincide with the Commission’s launch on World Aids Day, to call on Ministers to accept its recommendations in full.
He says; “While the Covid-19 death toll continues to mount and restrictions impact all aspects of daily life, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for England to end its five-decade long battle with another virus that has devastated far too many lives.
“I was at secondary school when AIDS hit in 1986 and, like anyone of a certain age, the Don’t Die of Ignorance campaign left a lasting legacy. Fast forward thirty years and I found myself able to potentially make a difference and, incredibly, we now have the end of England’s epidemic in our sights if we work harder, test more and grab it.
“The work of our commission hands the Government a suite of highly achievable and realistic recommendations and we were humbled by the reception Matt Hancock gave to them in Parliament during my debate.”
New data from Public Health England shows there are significant missed opportunities to accurately test for HIV – with over half a million eligible people last year not tested in sexual health clinics alone. That’s why the group believes it is vital that testing becomes standard practice when registering for a GP, at routine smear exams, in pharmacies and in accident and emergency departments.
It’s estimated that currently around 5,900 people in England are living with undiagnosed HIV, which drastically increases the chance of unwittingly passing this virus on. Similarly, someone who receives a late diagnosis has an eight times greater risk of death compared to those diagnosed promptly.
The UK has been very successful in reducing transmission and in improving treatment so that people with HIV live normal lives. Now, the HIV Commission is calling for everyone to know their HIV status in a move to make the population more conscious of transmission. Without a significant step change in HIV testing, England will waste its opportunity to become the very first country to end HIV cases within the next decade.
The HIV Commission was established by leading charities Terrence Higgins Trust, National AIDS Trust and Elton John AIDS Foundation to help ensure consistent progress is made every year between now and 2030. Chaired by Dame Inga Beale, the commissioners’ wide ranging recommendations are based on available evidence and engagement with experts across England, as well as people living with HIV.
The commissioners are highly successful figures from sectors unrelated to HIV, including finance, technology, politics and business, and includes people who understand the realities of living with HIV. Its report was launched with the help of Elton John at a special online event last week.
Pictured; Steve Brine MP with Labour MP West Streeting who worked together on the HIV Commission.
More information ...
Watch Steve's debate in the House (SBTV)
PINK News feature interview with Steve Brine MP
