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New Freedom of Information requests have exposed an alarming trend for cutting or completely decommissioning HIV support services across England and Wales. In England there was an average cut of 28% in expenditure for HIV support services between 2015/16 and 2016/17. The regional variation in cuts is enormous, with some areas entirely losing support for people living with HIV.
Two companion reports launched today by NAT (National AIDS Trust) show that:
NAT have been told about a number of proposed and confirmed in-year cuts since the data was captured, meaning the reduced expenditure reported here is an under-estimation of the current severity of cuts.
Deborah Gold, chief executive of NAT said: “The disappearance of support for people living with HIV in England and Wales is extremely alarming. This trend leaves people living with HIV without the support they need to live well. This is dangerous and short-sighted, creating a need for more urgent and more expensive care for people living with HIV further down the line.
“With this evidence of widespread decommissioning of crucial and, at times, life-saving services, which ensure people living with HIV can manage their long-term condition, we are calling on NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups to accept their role in ensuring needs are met. Support services alleviate the pressure on clinical services, meaning their provision is a responsibility CCGs are currently not fulfilling.”