Today NHS England released the results from the first year of opt-out HIV and hepatitis testing in hospitals in areas with a very high HIV prevalence. The data shows the programme success is surpassing all expansions and exposing the postcode lottery in hospital testing. The government must fund opt-out HIV testing for the next tranche of A&E departments – high prevalence areas now – as the government’s own guidance recommends, that’s the conclusion of five leading HIV and hepatitis charities.

Leading charities have delivered an open letter to Public Health Minister Neil O’Brien and NHS England Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard, urging them to expand opt-out HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing in emergency departments across the country.

Leading HIV and sexual health charities in Scotland are calling on the next Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and First Minister of Scotland to tackle transmission of HIV in Scotland as a matter of urgency.

Leading charities have warned newly appointed Health Secretary Thérèse Coffey MP that sexual health clinics are in crisis with the current monkeypox outbreak displacing other vital services, including testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV prevention and access to contraception.