More HIV testing urged on quarter century anniversary

Thursday September 1st, 2011

Widespread testing for HIV could be introduced to reverse Britain's "woefully inadequate" approach to preventing the spread of the disease, senior politicians said today.

Tests could be offered to all new GP patients - and hospital admissions - on an opt-out basis, according to the House of Lords health select committee.

The numbers needing treatment for infection have trebled in the last ten years, the committee says, calling it "one of the most serious public health issues" this century.

The report was published on the 25th anniversary of the first public campaign warning of the virus - when pictures of icebergs were used with the slogan "Don't Die of Ignorance" to warn the public of the new disease.

The health secretary who launched the campaign, Norman Fowler, chaired the committee which produced today's report as Lord Fowler.

The report warns that a quarter of those infected have not been diagnosed.

It calls for the legalisation and regulation of home testing.

It says currently just £2.9 million is spent on prevention programmes - compared with £762 million on treatment.

Meanwhile veteran campaigners the Terence Higgins Trust launched their own proposals.

It calls for a target to halve the number of undiagnosed people within three years.

The Trust says action could be targeted at those who are taking the risks that expose them to infection - giving them support to change.

Deputy chief executive Paul Ward said: "There is no cure for HIV and it is the fastest growing serious health condition in the UK, but we do not have to accept rising costs as inevitable.

"By renewing our approach to HIV prevention in the UK, by properly involving communities, businesses, charities, individuals and the state we can turn this epidemic around."

Tags: Flu & Viruses | NHS | UK News

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