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Robbie Currie, Chief Executive, responds to the latest UKHSA report:
“The latest UKHSA data shows encouraging progress in England’s HIV response, but targeted action remains essential to ensure no one is left behind.
Only through combined effort will the ambitions of the Action Plan translate into real change – and put us on track to meet the 2030 goal of ending new HIV transmissions and ensuring good quality of life for every person living with HIV. The measure of success must be achieving this for everyone, not for some groups while others are left behind. Entrenched inequalities are hard to shift, but that must be our shared commitment as we work towards 2030.
The data shows health inequalities that must be responded to; however, there remains an urgent need for data for all key populations to ensure that no one is left behind. But we know systemic health inequalities cannot be solved by HIV services in isolation. They require a whole-system response across healthcare, alongside sustained action on the root causes of inequality and social determinants of health. The success of the UK’s HIV response depends on meeting the needs of everyone, across testing, prevention, treatment and care.
We remain concerned about the number of people not in care as we move towards the 2030 goals. While we welcome the commitment in the HIV Action Plan to a national re-engagement strategy, this must be delivered urgently at a national scale. At the same time, local HIV plans must be implemented across the country, with a commitment to addressing inequalities through sustained, meaningful partnerships and shared leadership from the voluntary sector.
HIV stigma and discrimination still remain widespread. Decisive action must be taken by the Government and NHS England to tackle HIV stigma and ensure all healthcare organisations are safe and welcoming for everyone living with HIV.”