Labour announces prevention programme as well as efforts to re-engage people who have fallen out of medical care
Ending new HIV transmissions in England by 2030 is within reach thanks to an action plan that will include routine testing at A&Es, the government has said.
The HIV action plan, to be unveiled on World Aids Day on Monday, aims to re-engage the thousands of people who have left HIV care, bringing them back to lifesaving treatment. The £170m package also includes funding for opt-out HIV testing at A&Es during routine blood tests in areas with the highest rates, including London and Manchester.
The prime minister, Keir Starmer, said: “I promised to end HIV transmissions in England and Wales by 2030 and we are making this a reality thanks to our action plan, with a groundbreaking new HIV prevention programme, at-home tests made available through the NHS app and delivering opt-out testing in emergency departments.”
A steady decrease in HIV diagnoses was recorded in England from 2005, but progress faltered during the pandemic, with testing disrupted and an increase in the number of new cases. As a result of new treatments, HIV is now a manageable condition.
