Testing at A&Es part of plan to end new HIV cases in England by 2030

"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. 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 170m 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."

"I 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. 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."

"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. Today, people living with HIV can enjoy full, healthy lives and can't pass the virus on to others. That's remarkable progress, said Wes Streeting, the health secretary. But we can go further. Ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 is ambitious and this government is determined to make it happen."

An expanded HIV action plan aims to end new HIV transmissions in England by 2030 through increased testing, prevention and re-engagement with care. The 170m package funds opt-out HIV testing during routine blood tests in emergency departments in high-rate areas including London and Manchester and makes at-home tests available via the NHS app. The plan targets about 5,000 people who have fallen out of HIV care for reasons such as mental health issues, addiction, poverty and fear of judgment. New treatments make HIV manageable and prevent onward transmission when people remain in care; pandemic disruptions had increased diagnoses.

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