Care of patients with HIV needs strong leadership in England as patients age and the NHS is fragmented, according to a major report published today.
The King’s Fund report says that HIV has now become a chronic condition for many people – meaning that 30% of patients are now over the age of 50.
Within ten years this proportion will rise to 54%, it says.
Researchers found that HIV services were divided between different parts of government – with councils, who are responsible for public health, controlling much funding and NHS England directly controlling other services.
The Fund suggests that the Sustainability and Transformation Plans offer a chance for a single organisation to oversee HIV care planning.
It says this is an urgent matter in London, which is responsible for nearly half of all patients with HIV.
The report also calls for testing to be stepped up and for pre-exposure prophylaxis to be widely available.
Alex Baylis, from the King’s Fund, said: "The health needs of people with HIV are changing rapidly, but health care for people with the condition is too fragmented to be able to keep up with this pace of change.
"The rising number of older people with HIV are more likely to need care from other parts of the health and social care system, and so joined up working will be vital to them getting the care they need.”
Nancy Mahon, of the M·A·C AIDS Fund, said: "The HIV epidemic has shifted dramatically in the last decade. Advances in treatment and care mean that many individuals living with HIV have normal life expectancies and, as their needs evolve, we must ensure that health services adapt accordingly."
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