In the lead-up to World AIDS Day, Waverley Care joined partners at Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and National AIDS Trust (NAT) at the Scottish Parliament to honour those lost to HIV and AIDS, and to reflect on Scotland’s progress towards ending new HIV transmission by 2030.
The day came at a pivotal moment, as new Public Health Scotland data shows the country edging closer to the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals. At the same time, it highlighted the work still needed to tackle stigma, close gaps in testing, and ensure everyone living with HIV can access the care and support they deserve.
New data from Public Health Scotland shows strong progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals. In Scotland:
- 94% of people living with HIV are diagnosed
- 91% of those diagnosed are on treatment
- 95% of those on treatment have a suppressed viral load
This means that most people living with HIV in Scotland who are on effective treatment with an undetectable viral load cannot pass the virus on, an achievement that would have been unimaginable just decades ago.
Yet despite major improvements, challenges remain. An estimated 400 people in Scotland are living with HIV undiagnosed; and almost 1 in 10 of those diagnosed are not currently on treatment. HIV testing rates remain below pre-pandemic levels, and stigma persists across communities and within health and social care settings. Some communities also face significant social and economic barriers that limit access to testing, PrEP and treatment.
New HIV Informed Learning Hub Launches on World AIDS Day
To support the national commitment to end new HIV transmission and eliminate stigma, the Scottish Government has funded a new learning hub, HIV Informed, launching on World AIDS Day.
Developed by Waverley Care in partnership with NHS Scotland and people living with HIV, the hub provides trusted, up-to-date information on HIV treatment, prevention, stigma, and care. It is designed to equip health and social care professionals, including nurses, GPs, dentists, social care workers and community staff, with the knowledge and tools needed to deliver inclusive, stigma-free care.
Progress and Remaining Gaps
The charities welcomed progress under the HIV Transmission Elimination Delivery Plan 2023–2026, including the landmark “Stigma is more harmful than HIV” campaign, Scotland’s first national HIV awareness campaign since the 1980s and opt-out HIV testing pilots in A&Es showed promise.
However, they warn that Scotland risks missing key opportunities to diagnose HIV earlier, expand access to PrEP, and ensure everyone living with HIV is supported to stay in care.
With just five years remaining until 2030, Scotland’s leading HIV charities have assessed current progress by evaluating high-impact actions across PrEP access, HIV testing, and stigma reduction.
The next Scottish Parliament, the final parliamentary term before 2030, will be pivotal in determining whether Scotland meets its commitment to end new HIV transmission. They are calling on the next government to formally recommit to the goal, invest in proven interventions at the scale required, and provide the national leadership needed to drive system-wide change. With sustained, strategic action, Scotland can remain on course to be the first in the world to end new HIV transmission.
Charities Call for the Scottish Government to Deliver on Key Commitments
To achieve zero new HIV transmission by 2030 and tackle stigma, the charities are calling for urgent action to:
- Deliver on the commitment to roll out opt-out HIV testing in A&Es in NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. This commitment must be funded with ring-fenced investment for wrap-around support for those newly diagnosed with HIV or who are re-engaged in care.
- Enable PrEP access outside of sexual health clinics, including through community pharmacies.
- Fund a National HIV Testing Week to increase testing uptake and tackle HIV stigma.
- Invest in HIV support services and develop a national programme to re-engage the growing number of people lost to HIV care, who now represent nearly 20% of Scotland’s HIV-positive population.
- Commit to multi-year funding to build upon the success of the anti-stigma campaign and improve HIV awareness in the health and social care sectors.
Grant Sugden, Chief Executive, Waverley Care, said:
“Scotland has made remarkable progress, and we should be proud that we are within reach of becoming one of the first countries in the world to end new HIV transmission. But progress is not the same as success. We are now entering the most critical phase of this journey, and the decisions taken in the next parliamentary term will determine whether Scotland meets its 2030 goal.
“We were delighted to work with NHS Scotland and people living with HIV to develop the new HIV Informed learning hub. This resource will play an essential role in equipping health and social care professionals with the knowledge and confidence they need to deliver inclusive, stigma-free care. That is vital if we are to reduce inequalities and ensure that everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live, can access the care and treatment they need.
Robbie Currie, Chief Executive, National AIDS Trust, said:
“The progress made in Scotland to reduce HIV transmissions should be celebrated. We have come a long way with increasing access to HIV prevention and testing, but we must go further. The next Scottish parliament has an extraordinary opportunity – to be the parliament that meets the 2030 targets and leads the world in becoming one of the first countries to end new HIV transmission.
Alongside our partners, we welcome the launch of the HIV Informed learning hub, which will play a vital role in addressing HIV stigma and discrimination.
The next Scottish Government must redouble its commitment, ensuring the leadership and funding are in place to sustain the progress made so far. We will continue to call for the strong action needed to ensure Scotland meets its commitments to end new HIV transmission and end HIV stigma for everyone.”
Alan Eagleson, Head of Scotland Services for Terrence Higgins Trust said: “World AIDS Day is a moment to honour those we’ve lost to HIV and to reaffirm our commitment to ending this epidemic. It’s inspiring to see so many parliamentarians embracing this opportunity.
Wearing the red ribbon is a powerful symbol of hope – a stand against HIV stigma and for a future where everyone living with HIV has the support they need to thrive, and where Scotland has the potential to be the first country in the world to end new HIV cases by 2030.”