Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust), comments: 

‘We are extremely pleased that the Government has recognised late diagnosis of HIV as an important issue – not only for the health of individuals – but for public health, by including it as an indicator within the Public Health Outcomes Framework. 

‘Late diagnosis of HIV is one of the biggest issues within the UK’s HIV epidemic today.  About half of all people diagnosed with HIV last year were diagnosed ‘late’, after the point at which they should have started treatment.  If a person is diagnosed with HIV late, they are far more likely to have passed the infection on to others and the likelihood of ill health and even an early death are all significantly increased. 

‘NAT, along with the rest of the HIV sector, has long campaigned for late diagnosis to be recognised within the Public Health Outcomes Framework, and it is a testament to this tireless effort that this has now come to fruition.  We now need local authorities and the local NHS to respond to this indicator, assessing how they are doing in reducing late diagnosis and planning and investing to improve testing uptake.’

- Ends -

Notes to the editor:

NAT is a member of 'Halve It'; a coalition of HIV and healthcare experts who are determined to tackle the continued public health challenges posed by HIV and call on all levels of government to make HIV a public health priority both locally and nationally.

To find out more about the campaign, please visit http://www.halveit.org.uk and download the Halve It position paper ‘Early testing saves lives – HIV is a public health priority 2nd Edition’

For further information please contact:
Charli Scouller
Communications Manager
NAT
020 7814 6733
press@nat.org.uk

NAT
NAT (National AIDS Trust) is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to transforming society’s response to HIV. We provide fresh thinking, expertise and practical resources. We champion the rights of people living with HIV and campaign for change.
Shaping attitudes. Challenging injustice. Changing lives.
www.nat.org.uk