Press Release

PHE action plan on sexual health, reproductive health and HIV services 'must be backed up by funding' says NAT

PHE action plan on sexual health, reproductive health and HIV services 'must be backed up by funding' says NAT

Publication date

Friday, September 1, 2017

Public Health England today published findings from a survey of commissioners across the NHS and local authorities showing significant issues with the commissioning of sexual health, reproductive health and HIV services. The report shows that the Health and Social Care Act left a fragmented system that is struggling to meet the needs of the population. Commissioners are also facing significant budget cuts along with increasing demand. 
Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust), said: 

HIV prevention drug PrEP available on the NHS from September

HIV prevention drug PrEP available on the NHS from September

Publication date

Thursday, August 3, 2017

NHS England has announced that from September pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) will be available through the NHS as part of a three-year trial. This announcement comes a year and a day after an historic win for NAT (National AIDS Trust) at the High Court that confirmed the NHS’s legal ability to fund the drug, which stops people from getting HIV.

NAT welcomes pivotal changes to blood donation rules

NAT welcomes pivotal changes to blood donation rules

Publication date

Sunday, July 23, 2017

NHS Blood and Transplant has today announced changes to the rules on blood donation in England.

Amongst the new rules is a change that will mean that men who have sex with men will now have to wait three months since their last sexual activity before donating blood - a significant reduction from the current 12 month deferral period.

NAT was on the working group which reviewed the evidence for such changes and has long campaigned for the rules on blood donation to be improved to be evidence-based, and non-discriminatory.

The Hepatitis C Trust and NAT respond to police spit hoods debate

The Hepatitis C Trust and NAT respond to police spit hoods debate

Publication date

Tuesday, February 28, 2017


The Hepatitis C Trust and NAT (National AIDS Trust) have expressed concern about recent press coverage around the use of 'spit hoods' by police forces in the UK that has focused on their supposed value in preventing hepatitis C and HIV transmission.

Both organisations wish to make clear that hepatitis C and HIV cannot be transmitted via spitting. Suggestions to the contrary are not only incorrect, but are hugely damaging as they reinforce existing stigma and misconceptions that surround both viruses.

NAT welcomes Statutory Sex and Relationships Education, but says it must not leave LGBT young people behind

NAT welcomes Statutory Sex and Relationships Education, but says it must not leave LGBT young people behind

Publication date

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

The Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening MP, has announced the Government’s intention to make Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) statutory in all schools in England.

Deborah Gold, Chief Executive at NAT (National AIDS Trust) said: 

Police officers are advised wrongly on HIV risk

Police officers are advised wrongly on HIV risk

Publication date

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

The Police Federation has today launched Protect the Protectors, a campaign highlighting the issue of assault on police officers.  NAT (National AIDS Trust) has raised concerns that case studies referring to spitting and biting incidents confirm police officers are put through unnecessary distress due to poor advice relating to the risk of HIV transmission.

NAT welcome new HIV prevention drug funding after court win

NAT welcome new HIV prevention drug funding after court win

Publication date

Sunday, December 4, 2016

NHS England has announced funding for a major new clinical trial using PrEP as a means of preventing new HIV infections amongst high risk groups.

This step towards a full national roll out of PrEP comes after NAT (National AIDS Trust) pursued litigation in the High Court (and successfully defended its initial win in the Court of Appeal) against NHS England to clarify the role of NHS England in HIV prevention.

National AIDS Trust sets out vision for HIV in the Future NHS

National AIDS Trust sets out vision for HIV in the Future NHS

Publication date

Thursday, December 1, 2016

On World AIDS Day (1 December) the National AIDS Trust (NAT) is releasing a call-to-action on how the needs of people living with HIV should be met by the changing NHS in England.1

The Five Year Forward View and Sustainability Transformation Plans are setting an agenda for a new approach to supporting people with long-term conditions in England.  NHS England have promised a greater emphasis on person-centred care and more joined-up services, both of which would be welcomed by people living with HIV.