We are delighted to welcome the Scottish Government’s announcement of a new dedicated HIV Action Plan for Scotland, reaffirming its commitment to ending new HIV transmission by 2030.
The announcement from Public Health Minister Maree Todd provides an important opportunity to build on the significant progress Scotland has already made, while ensuring the next phase of work is ambitious, inclusive and shaped by the people most affected.
Grant Sugden, Chief Executive of Waverley Care, said:
“We welcome the announcement of a new HIV Action Plan for Scotland and the renewed focus it brings to the ambition of ending new HIV transmission by 2030.
“Scotland has made significant progress in HIV prevention, testing and treatment, but there is still important work to do. We must ensure everyone can access the right information, prevention tools, testing, treatment and support, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances.
“Crucially, ending new HIV transmission must go hand in hand with ending HIV stigma. People living with HIV continue to experience misunderstanding, discrimination and isolation, despite the huge advances in treatment.
“People living with HIV must be at the heart of developing this new Action Plan. Their voices, experiences and expertise should help shape the decisions that will affect their lives.”
The Scottish Government says the new plan will build on the significant progress already made in tackling HIV, with a successor to the existing HIV Transmission Elimination Delivery Plan forming part of the next phase of work. This will complement the wider approach to sexual health and blood borne viruses.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said it was “vital” that the work continues to receive dedicated focus, adding:
Public Health Minister, Maree Todd“I look forward to working with stakeholders to develop this plan over the coming months.”
What needs to happen next?
As the new Action Plan is developed, we will continue to advocate for action that reflects the realities of people’s lives.
This includes:
- Roll-out opt-out HIV and blood borne virus testing in emergency departments
- Deliver a national Online HIV Prevention Service
- Develop a national programme to re-engage the significant number of people lost to HIV care.
- Ensure equitable access to peer and mental health support for everyone living with HIV
- Fund multi-year campaigns to normalise testing, improve HIV awareness and tackle stigma
- Continuing workforce education to challenge HIV-related stigma in healthcare settings
- Ensuring people living with HIV are at the heart of decisions about the policies and services that affect them
Scotland has already committed to expanding access to HIV and blood borne virus testing in A&E departments over the next five years. Continued investment in prevention, testing, treatment, peer support and action to tackle stigma will be essential to achieving the ambition of 2030.
People with lived experience must be at the heart of the plan
For Waverley Care, meaningful progress means ensuring people living with HIV are involved at every stage of developing Scotland’s HIV response, from shaping policy to designing and delivering services.
Earlier this month, we published The Future of HIV in Scotland: The priorities of people living with HIV for Scotland’s next HIV plan, developed through engagement and consultation with people living with HIV.
The report highlights the need for more joined-up and flexible care, better access to peer and mental health support, support to live and age well with HIV, and continued action to tackle stigma and discrimination.
It also makes clear that people living with HIV want a meaningful say in the policies and services that affect them, and that HIV should remain a national priority beyond 2030.
These priorities reflect what we hear through our work every day. Improving outcomes for people living with HIV is not only about clinical care, but also about ensuring people can access the right support, feel listened to and live their lives free from stigma and discrimination.
Read the report and our recommendations for Scotland’s next HIV plan.
Looking ahead
We welcome this renewed commitment to Scotland’s HIV response and look forward to working with the Scottish Government, NHS, public health colleagues, HIV charities and people with lived experience to turn ambition into action.
Scotland has made significant progress towards ending new HIV transmissions by 2030. Now we need to build on that progress while ensuring that everyone affected by HIV can live well, free from stigma and isolation.
Ending HIV transmission and ending HIV stigma must go hand in hand.