Prime Highlights:
- England launches a major plan to end new HIV cases by 2030, expanding routine testing in A&E departments.
- New support aims to bring thousands of people back into HIV care, making treatment easier and stigma-free.
Key Facts:
- Around 5,000 people who stopped HIV treatment will receive targeted help to return to care.
- About 4,700 people remain undiagnosed in England, making expanded testing and better PrEP access essential.
Background:
England is moving closer to its goal of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030, with the government announcing a wide-ranging action plan that includes routine opt-out testing in hospital emergency departments and new efforts to reconnect people who have fallen out of HIV care.
The initiative, set to launch on World AIDS Day, outlines a £170 million package designed to boost early diagnosis, strengthen prevention, and remove barriers to treatment. A central part of the plan will see A&E departments in high-prevalence areas such as London and Manchester automatically test patients for HIV during routine blood work unless they choose to opt out.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the strategy marks a major step toward achieving a promise to eliminate new HIV transmissions in England and Wales. “We are making this a reality through a comprehensive prevention programme, home-testing options via the NHS app, and expanded opt-out testing in emergency departments,” he said.
Although HIV diagnoses had been declining steadily since 2005, progress slowed during the pandemic due to reduced testing and a rise in new infections. The government believes that many people living with HIV in England are not currently receiving regular medical care. The new plan aims to reach about 5,000 people who have stopped treatment, helping them overcome challenges such as mental health issues, addiction, poverty, and fear of being judged.
Hospitals taking part in the expanded testing programme will also train staff to reduce stigma, making sure patients feel safe and supported when accessing care. In addition, a £5 million pilot programme will allow people to order home HIV test kits through the NHS app, offering a discreet and accessible option for those hesitant to visit clinics.
The strategy also includes funding for formula milk for babies born to mothers living with HIV as part of transmission-prevention measures.
Health experts have welcomed the action plan, noting that about 95% of people living with HIV in England are now aware of their status. But around 4,700 people in England still don’t know they have HIV, with late diagnoses more common in Black African communities and older people.
Experts say that making PrEP easier to get and increasing testing will be key to reaching the 2030 target.
