Thousands of people across England will benefit from improved HIV testing and treatment under a new national HIV Action Plan, unveiled today by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting.
The plan, backed by over £170 million, sets out bold measures to end new HIV transmissions by 2030 and tackle the stigma that still prevents many people from getting tested. Fear of judgement and discrimination means infections often go undiagnosed and untreated.
At the heart of the plan is a first-of-its-kind national programme to find and support around 5,000 people who are no longer in care, helping them access lifesaving treatment. Reasons for disengagement include mental health challenges, addiction, poverty, and stigma.
Key measures include:
- Targeted support for groups facing barriers such as racism, poverty, and housing insecurity
- Continued funding for routine HIV testing in A&E, reaching thousands of people who might never visit a sexual health clinic
- A national HIV prevention programme to raise awareness about safer sex, testing and treatment, working directly with communities most affected
- Anti-stigma training for hospital staff, ensuring patients can access care without fear of discrimination
- A £5 million NHS App trial enabling at-risk patients to order home HIV testing kits, receive results securely and connect with GPs or clinics – all from their phone
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:
“HIV treatment has been transformed. Today, people living with HIV can enjoy full, healthy lives - and can’t pass the virus on to others. That’s remarkable progress.
“But we can go further. Ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 is ambitious - and this government is determined to make it happen.
“Our national re-engagement programme, a truly innovative and agile approach, targets the epidemic where it’s growing and leaving no one behind. We’ll bring people into life-saving care and find infections early, when treatment works best, so everyone can live the full, healthy life they deserve.
“Thanks to the work of determined campaigners across our country, ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 - a history making, world changing goal - is within reach. This government will now put its shoulder to the wheel to deliver this change.”
The new digital service offers a discreet route for testing, breaking down barriers for those anxious about visiting clinics.
The plan follows new UKHSA analysis showing that while 95% of people with HIV are diagnosed, around 4,700 remain undiagnosed. Additional investment in emergency department testing alone will not reach all those in need, highlighting gaps in lower prevalence areas and general practice settings, particularly among ethnic minority heterosexual populations and people aged over 50.
Minister Ashley Dalton will also meet today with people living with HIV and sector organisations to discuss how the plan can positively impact their lives.
HIV is now entirely manageable – with treatment, people can live long, healthy lives and cannot pass the virus on to others.
Image credit: iStock
