Peter Gibson MP attended and contributed to a debate in Westminster Hall on the 2022-23 annual update on the Government’s HIV Action Plan yesterday (18.07.23).
Speaking during the debate, Mr Gibson highlighted the progress we have already made in tackling HIV, outlining his full support for the Government’s ambition to end all new HIV transmissions by 2030, including our successes in improving HIV treatment, prevention, management and care. However, Mr Gibson also emphasised that there is still a lot of work to be done.
Mr Gibson called on the Government to take further action in three key areas where we need to seek more action: access to PrEP, more HIV testing and care for people living with HIV.
Mr Gibson went on to highlight the huge success that opt-out testing has had in rooting out cases of bloodborne viruses—not just HIV, but hepatitis C and B, encouraging the Government to expand opt-out testing to all areas with a high HIV prevalence.
Concluding his remarks in the debate, Mr Gibson said “Opt-out is a win-win: it is good for public health and the public purse. It is essential that we meet our target of ending all new HIV transmissions in England by 2030.
“We have made progress, but I fear that without renewed impetus, greater access to PrEP and an expansion of opt-out testing, we will miss the mark. Our internationally significant position on HIV is in no small part due to the zeal of giants in the field, such as Lord Fowler, and the efforts of the Terrence Higgins Trust.
“I ask the Minister to rekindle that zeal and energy, and ensure we take up this mantle and race towards a day when we have no new infections. It can be done.”
