England Launches Aspiring Plan to Eliminate New HIV Cases by 2030, Including A&E Testing
London – England unveiled a complete plan today aimed at ending new HIV transmissions by 2030, featuring expanded testing programs including opt-out testing in emergency departments (A&Es) and increased access to preventative medication. The initiative, backed by significant new funding, seeks to address disparities in diagnosis and treatment across the country.
The plan centers on making HIV testing more accessible and removing barriers to care. A key component involves rolling out opt-out HIV testing in A&Es in areas with high prevalence, alongside training for healthcare staff to combat stigma and ensure patients feel comfortable accessing services. A £5 million trial will also allow individuals to order home HIV tests thru the NHS app, offering a discreet testing option. Moreover, the government will fully fund formula milk for babies born to mothers living with HIV, a crucial preventative measure.
Currently, approximately 95% of individuals living with HIV in the UK are aware of their status, according to Prof.Susan Hopkins,chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency. However, around 4,700 people remain undiagnosed, disproportionately affecting Black African communities-where one in three individuals are unaware-and older age groups who experience later diagnoses. “People need testing that meets them where they are, in ways that feel safe and accessible,” Hopkins stated.
The plan also prioritizes improved access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication proven to reduce the risk of HIV acquisition by approximately 99%. while PrEP is available free on the NHS through sexual health clinics, access remains challenging for some. Hopkins emphasized the need to “make starting PrEP straightforward for anyone who wants it, with particular focus on heterosexual and black communities who are being failed by current disparities.”
Richard Angell, chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, hailed the funding as “transformational,” stating the government’s ambition to become the first country globally to end new HIV cases is “momentous and historic.” He added, “This new plan recognises the scale of the challenge, with the biggest new investment in HIV testing and care in decades.”
