Health professionals from Cumbria are highlighting the groups where HIV infections are rising as we aim to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat this World Aids Day (Sunday 1st December).
Most recent figures show that HIV diagnoses in England rose by 22% in 2022. For the first time in a decade, the number of new HIV diagnoses among ethnic minority heterosexuals (49%) is higher than for gay and bisexual men (45%).
Professor Matt Phillips, Deputy Medical Director and sexual health consultant at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, is reminding the public that clinics are available across the County where people can get tested and that the treatments are now effective.
He said: “It is concerning that we are now seeing greater health inequalities and higher numbers of infections in ethnic minority groups.
“Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment and we understand so much more about the condition.
“Testing and treating is the key to ending HIV transmissions. Effective treatment helps people to live long, healthy lives with HIV and means they can’t pass the virus on.
“People can also use Pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if they are at higher risk of HIV to protect themselves from catching the virus. We are able to offer this in our clinics across Cumbria.”
“We are keen to highlight the variety of different ways that people can now get tested including free and confidential HIV tests from sexual health clinics charity testing services, many GP surgeries, pharmacies or online for self-testing at home.”
The Trust has clinics in Carlisle, Workington, Whitehaven, Kendal and Barrow.
If you want to attend a sexual health clinic in Cumbria call the central booking line on 01228 608989, take a look at our webpages or there is also a confidential online booking system.
Rapid HIV testing is also available in some pharmacies in Cumbria. The test is free, simple and confidential. You’ll receive your result in around 15 minutes.
Professor Phillips has also been invited to 10 Downing St, London, for a reception to mark World Aids Day in his capacity as President of BASHH (British Association for Sexual Health and HIV).
Dignitaries for each area have been invited to sexual health clinics in Barrow, Workington, Kendal and Carlisle ahead of World Aids Day.
On Thursday 28th November, the Lord Lieutenant Alexander Scott and Deputy Mayor Cllr Jeanette Whalen visited staff at the Solway Clinic in Carlisle to find out more about the services we offer.
Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever-global health day. It is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
Through combined efforts, we are collectively working towards no more HIV infections by 2030.