Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

HIV Action Plan

Wednesday 20 March 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is investing over 4.5 million between 2021 and 2025 to implement the HIV prevention programme.
  • Opt-out HIV testing has identified 1,000 cases of undiagnosed and untreated HIV, and testing has been expanded to 47 emergency rooms.
  • An additional 20 million has been allocated to increase HIV testing efforts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Maggie Throup Con
NHS
Context

The MP seeks updates on the government's efforts to implement its HIV action plan. The plan aims for no new transmissions by 2030.

Question

What recent steps have been taken by the Government to implement the HIV action plan? I note our commitment to this goal and would like specifics on what has been done so far.

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Our 2021 HIV action plan sets out actions to achieve no new HIV transmissions by 2030 in England. To deliver that, the Department of Health and Social Care is investing more than £4.5 million between 2021 and 2025 to deliver the HIV prevention programme.

Answered
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Q2 Peter Gibson
NHS
Context

The MP acknowledges government work on HIV but emphasizes the need for a comprehensive strategy including sex education, testing, and PrEP availability.

Question

Happy St Cuthbert's day. I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the ongoing fight against HIV. However, to reach our 2030 goal of zero transmissions, we require a four-pronged approach: improved sex education, expanded opt-out testing, better PrEP availability, and locating the 13,000 undiagnosed individuals with HIV.

Answer from Stuart Andrew

My hon. Friend's suggestions are right. Through opt-out testing, we have identified 1,000 cases of undiagnosed and untreated HIV. We have expanded that testing to a further 47 emergency rooms. On PrEP availability, we are gathering evidence on why some population groups benefitting from it are not accessing it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Locating the 13,000 undiagnosed individuals with HIV and implementing improved sex education

How: Under Review

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Q3 Maggie Throup Con
NHS
Context

The MP highlights the success of a HIV testing scheme in high-prevalence areas that identified over 4,000 cases and disproportionately affected women and older people. She seeks progress updates on expanding this to additional hospitals.

Question

Since securing funding for opt-out HIV testing in very high prevalence areas as part of my 2021 plan, the scheme has exceeded expectations with over 4,000 new diagnoses across four cities. It also disproportionately identified women and older people. Will you update on expanding to additional hospitals and confirm continuation beyond April 2025?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

I thank my hon. Friend for her work; extra £20 million has been allocated to increase testing. I will write colleagues about what happens post 2025 but are doing other work with partners like the Terrence Higgins Trust to ensure our goal is achieved.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics of ongoing expansion and continuation beyond April 2025

How: Will Write

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Q4 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The MP acknowledges proactive HIV actions in Northern Ireland and seeks information on discussions with the Department of Health for extending these guidelines to Northern Ireland.

Question

In Northern Ireland, we have a proactive HIV action plan. What discussions has the Minister had with the Department of Health in NI about extending our HIV action plan guidelines? Let us share good ideas and progress together.

Answer from Stuart Andrew

I agree that we should always share information and best practice. I will ensure colleagues hear the request and act accordingly. At the end of the day, it is in our shared interests to reach the 2030 goal.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on ongoing or planned discussions with NI Department of Health

How: Will Ensure

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