Press Release

Government challenged over ‘cruel’ ban on people living with HIV using fertility treatment

Government challenged over ‘cruel’ ban on people living with HIV using fertility treatment

Publication date

Sunday, August 7, 2022

HIV rights charity National AIDS Trust is calling on the government to end the ban on people living with HIV accessing fertility treatment to start a family. 
 
Despite science showing that there is no risk of HIV transmission, existing laws mean many people living with HIV are not allowed to use their eggs or sperm for fertility treatments. People in mixed-sex couples where one or both partners is living with HIV are allowed to undergo fertility treatment such as IVF, as they are viewed as consenting adults in an intimate relationship. 

National AIDS Trust joins world leaders, experts & artists to call for HIV medicines for all

National AIDS Trust joins world leaders, experts & artists to call for HIV medicines for all

Publication date

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

National AIDS Trust today joined UNAIDS and other prominent figures around the world to call for the price of ground-breaking HIV medicines to be reduced dramatically so that they can be used worldwide by everyone. In a letter to the pharmaceutical company, ViiV, we called for a cheaper, quicker, open-access rollout of the long-acting HIV prevention technology they own. We signed alongside Stephen Fry, Olly Alexander, David Oyelowo, former President of Malawi Dr Joyce Banda, Nobel laureates and others.

Consensus statement on response to the monkeypox outbreak

Consensus statement on response to the monkeypox outbreak

Publication date

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

We are united in calling for urgent action to prevent Monkeypox (MPX) becoming endemic in the UK.

Since May 2022, the UK MPX outbreak has become a crisis; with case numbers rising steeply, clinics are overwhelmed. MPX can be highly infectious through close contact, requiring people to isolate.  Although the outbreak was unexpected, public health strategies have failed.

Statement: Civil Aviation Authority landmark change for pilots and air traffic controllers living with HIV

Statement: Civil Aviation Authority landmark change for pilots and air traffic controllers living with HIV

Publication date

Monday, June 20, 2022

On June 20th, the Civil Aviation Authority announced an update to their rules enabling pilots living with HIV to gain full licences. 

Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of National AIDS Trust, said:

Statement: Death of Thoko Shiri in prison was completely avoidable

Statement: Death of Thoko Shiri in prison was completely avoidable

Publication date

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

On June 8th a jury concluded that Thokozani Shiri, 21 years old and living with HIV, died in prison because HMP Chelmsford failed to provide basic medical attention including anti-retroviral medication. You can read the Leigh Day press release here. 

Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of National AIDS Trust said:

Statement: New HIV data shows significant inequalities exist in UK’s HIV response

Statement: New HIV data shows significant inequalities exist in UK’s HIV response

Publication date

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

On World AIDS Day 2021, the UK Health Security Agency released data about HIV testing, new diagnoses and the quality of HIV care in 2020.

This new HIV data is a reminder that the challenge of ending HIV transmissions is not a straightforward one. COVID has greatly impacted HIV and sexual health services. It is also clear that unacceptable inequalities in outcomes remain, particularly for women and Black communities, with progress to close these gaps too slow.  

Statement: Armed Forces announce major changes to allow people living with HIV to serve in the military

Statement: Armed Forces announce major changes to allow people living with HIV to serve in the military

Publication date

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

The Ministry of Defence has today announced that the Armed Forces have committed to ensuring that people living with HIV will no longer be barred from serving. People taking the HIV prevention medication PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) can now join the Armed Forces with immediate effect, and serving personnel who are HIV positive can also be recognised as fully fit, in changes planned to come into effect early next year.

Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of the National AIDS Trust said: