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Our response to the news that Scotland is developing a new standalone HIV Action Plan.
Robbie Currie, Chief Executive, said:
“We warmly welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to develop a new standalone HIV Action Plan, reflecting the longstanding calls from National AIDS Trust and our partners. Scotland has shown strong leadership for their HIV response, and today’s announcement is an important signal that the Government remains committed to reaching the target of ending HIV transmissions by 2030 and supporting people to live well with HIV.
The development of a new standalone plan provides a vital opportunity to maintain needed strategic focus, take stock of progress, address the challenges that remain, and set out the actions needed for the final stretch to 2030.
With one Parliament left until 2030, the renewed Action Plan must be ambitious, adequately resourced and focused on tackling health inequalities. As highlighted in our election manifesto with Waverley Care and Terrence Higgins Trust, we know what needs to happen to accelerate progress.
The new Plan should further roll-out opt-out HIV and BBV testing, deliver a national Online HIV Prevention service, develop a national programme to re-engage people that are lost to HIV care, ensure equitable access to peer and mental health support, and fund campaigns to tackle HIV stigma.
We look forward to working closely with the Scottish Government, NHS Scotland, communities and partners across the HIV sector to develop the next Plan and drive action to make Scotland the first country in the world to end new HIV transmissions.”