National HIV Testing Week 2023

The hon. Member highlighted the benefits of opt-out HIV testing, suggesting that it helps to normalise HIV testing and reduce remaining stigma. Andrew Gwynne thanked the hon. Member for Erewash for securing the debate, acknowledging her role as a former public health Minister. He also acknowledged Ian Green's leadership at the Terrence Higgins Trust and wished Richard Angell well in his new position. He highlighted the progress made over 50 years since Terry Higgins' death but stressed the importance of continued efforts to end new HIV transmissions. Gwynne emphasised the significance of regular testing, noting that an estimated 4,400 people are currently living with undiagnosed HIV. He questioned the Government's steps to improve testing rates and asked about access to free at-home testing outside National HIV Testing Week. Additionally, he inquired about plans for publishing the PrEP action plan and the sexual and reproductive health action plan. Gwynne called on the Minister to confirm that people with HIV will be allowed to access fertility treatment.

Agrees with previous speaker, highlighting issues such as the displacement of HIV services due to monkeypox and lack of resources. Emphasises problems in his constituency's sexual health clinic where people cannot access treatment or appointments. Mr. Slaughter highlighted that sexual health services were displaced by mpox, resulting in a quarter to a third of routine work being lost including testing and PrEP prescription, which has not recovered after a year. He asked the Minister what measures are being taken to ensure clinics have sufficient resources.

Jim Shannon praised the NHS for its role in HIV care and support. He noted that the number of new HIV diagnoses has been decreasing since 2005, with 95% of people knowing their status due to diagnosis. Shannon highlighted Northern Ireland's success in HIV testing strategies, mentioning a decrease in stigma around being tested for AIDS. He discussed the importance of expanding opt-out testing and cited figures showing that it could save NHS care costs while also reducing prevalence rates among certain demographics. Asks if the Minister can respond, then comments on the success of pilot schemes and mentions significant cost savings to the NHS from early diagnosis.

Welcomed the Government's commitment to ending new HIV transmissions by 2030, highlighting the importance of normalising HIV testing. Emphasised the need for further roll-out of opt-out HIV testing and noted its success in emergency departments with high HIV prevalence. Stressed that 42% of people first diagnosed with HIV are diagnosed late, significantly increasing their risk of death within a year compared to early diagnosis. Mr. Gibson expressed gratitude for the Minister's comments on opt-out testing in high-prevalence areas and requested that the Department write about its considerations regarding tracking individuals who were exposed to similar risks but no longer reside in high-prevalence regions.

Praised the outgoing chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, Ian Green, for his leadership and initiatives in HIV prevention. Acknowledged the progress made over the past 40 years but emphasized the need to improve testing methods such as PrEP through community pharmacies. Highlighted the importance of normalising HIV testing across various healthcare settings including A&E departments.