Ending new HIV transmissions in England by 2030 is within reach thanks to an action plan that will include routine testing at A&Es, the government has said.<\/p>\n
The HIV action plan, to be unveiled on World Aids Day on Monday, aims to re-engage the thousands of people who have left HIV care, bringing them back to lifesaving treatment. The \u00a3170m package also includes funding for opt-out HIV testing at A&Es during routine blood tests in areas with the highest rates, including London and Manchester.<\/p>\n
The prime minister, Keir Starmer<\/a>, said: \u201cI promised to end HIV transmissions in England and Wales by 2030 and we are making this a reality thanks to our action plan, with a groundbreaking new HIV prevention programme, at-home tests made available through the NHS app and delivering opt-out testing in emergency departments.\u201d<\/p>\n A steady decrease in HIV diagnoses was recorded in England from 2005, but progress faltered during the pandemic, with testing disrupted and an increase in the number of new cases. As a result of new treatments, HIV is now a manageable condition.<\/p>\n There are also as many as one in 10 people living with diagnosed HIV<\/a> who are not under medical care, according to a National AIDS Trust report published in September. The latest action plan aims to renew efforts to re-engage people with treatment and boost testing to ensure that transmissions continue to be pushed down.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, people living with HIV can enjoy full, healthy lives and can\u2019t pass the virus on to others. That\u2019s remarkable progress,\u201d said Wes Streeting<\/a>, the health secretary. \u201cBut we can go further. Ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 is ambitious and this government is determined to make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n