Election offers opportunity to get better on HIV in the UK

NAT is concerned that HIV in the UK has gone down the political agenda, despite prevalence significantly increasing. The General Election in 2010 provides an important opportunity for politicians to commit themselves to taking action on HIV in the UK.

There are now more people than ever before – an estimated 85,000 – living with HIV in the UK. More than a quarter of those are unaware of their infection because they have not been tested, having serious consequences for individual and public health.
 
NAT is calling on parliamentarians, policymakers and the new Government in 2010 to take forward seven specific actions that would support better HIV testing, prevention, treatment and care, and policy in the UK:
 
Better testing
 
A national screening programme for HIV
 
Nationwide reductions in the proportion of people with HIV who are diagnosed late
 
Better prevention
 
Increased expenditure on cost-effective HIV prevention at national and local levels, within ring-fenced public health budgets
 
Better treatment and care
 
HIV included in Department of Health long-term condition strategy, policies and programmes
 
The AIDS Support Grant retained, and maintained in line with the social care needs of people living with HIV
 
Better policy
 
A cross-departmental strategy for HIV post-2010 which includes a clear action plan to tackle HIV-related stigma and discrimination
 
The appointment of a high-level ‘HIV champion’ to advocate for the HIV strategy across Whitehall, the NHS and local government
 

Notes to the editor:

For further information please contact:
Katherine Sladden
Communications Officer
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, expert advice and practical resources. We campaign for change.
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www.nat.org.uk