The Lesbian & Gay Foundation » HIV testing on the parliamentary agenda - Thanks to campaigners

HIV testing on the parliamentary agenda - Thanks to campaigners

25 Jun 2009

Campaigners met with MPs and senior primary care trust staff at the Houses of Parliament yesterday to raise awareness of HIV and discuss ways to increase HIV testing.

By Marc Robinson

Issues discussed included offering testing in a wider range of settings, increasing opportunities for community based testing and involving GPs more in testing high risk groups, in particular gay men and Africans.

Over 77,400 people are living with HIV in the UK - more than ever before, but over a quarter of these people (approximately 20,000) are undiagnosed and nearly a third are diagnosed late. As well as risking their own health, people who remain undiagnosed also risk the health of others, as those who don't know their HIV status account for the majority of onward transmission.

Nathan Perry, LGF's Sexual Health & HIV Co-ordinator says, "There are currently thousands of people living with HIV who are unaware of their status. Therefore, increasing testing is really important in terms of HIV prevention and awareness. It is also important that testing is quick and easy to do, and this is why we are really happy to be offering a rapid HIV testing clinic from the LGF premises from July 2009. The clinic will allow gay and bisexual men the opportunity to take a HIV test in a safe and supportive environment, with the results being given within 20 minutes."

For further info about the rapid HIV clinic hosted by the LGF click here:
http://www.lgf.org.uk/news/1146/351/New-Rapid-HIV-Testing-Clinic/

Further info

Campaigners put HIV testing on the parliamentary agenda
http://www.tht.org.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2009/june/june24.htm

Rapid HIV testing for city clinic
http://news.pinkpaper.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=1098

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  • Yes of course it is better people know. Although I surely Mark, you're not suggesting people surrender their right not to test simply because support services will be able to help them. But how people find out, their state of minds and their access to adequate high-quality services are what I would question.

    If testing is made compulsory this has serious considerations for people's human rights as in my eyes that's where this type of legislation is heading if some people get their way.

    Posted by David Henry, 27/06/2009 9:46pm (1 year ago)

  • David I truly hope you ARE playing devils advocate, because you can't really be suggesting that it is better for people to not know their HIV status are you? just because the NHS might not have the money to cope with too many people needing help and there are always charities like the LGF and GHT who are around to offer support, advice and comfort if needed.

    Posted by Mark, 25/06/2009 9:04pm (1 year ago)

  • Fantastic news, of course I am playing devil advocate it will be interesting to see the future Tory Government complete their master-plan of hauling all those dangerous "gay men and africans" in to these oh so reliable one minute pin-prick testing centres. Of course if it protects the health of others as well as their own then roll up roll up! Who are these "HIV Campaigners"? are they HIV positive people by any chance who are more than aware of the harm the constant pressure to test has and the reverse effect it can cause and the stigma it creates meaning people don't feel able to in the first place?

    Having been on a 3 month waiting list to see an NHS "counsellor" at my own G.P and on hearing the waiting time for a clinical therapist let alone a psychiatrist in Manchester is three times as long will there be any emotional support available for those who are faced with a positive result down at the local docs or who get collared into giving a drop of blood or two whilst hanging out at the YMCA?

    I'm all for better services and better support for PHA's (people living with HIV/AIDS) or any one at risk of contracting the virus but how well-thought out is this campaign for more testing? Are we ready for it? The drug companies must be rubbing their hands together with glee at the prospect of 20,000 new prescriptions being written out over the next few years for the drugs the NHS purchases at full cost. That's about £600,000 million a year the manufacturers have to look forward to if all the undiagnosed people begin treatment.

    Will any government really be willing to pay that kind of price to safeguard the health of our community? Only time will tell! Interesting subject!

    Posted by David Henry, 25/06/2009 5:47pm (1 year ago)