On Tuesday 8th July, Anne Main attended the ‘Halfway to World AIDS day’ event hosted by the Halve It Coalition and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS. At the event 22 MPs, Peers and Councillors took a test administered by clinicians from the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in an act of solidarity with all those living with HIV across the world every day of the year, and in demonstration of the UK’s policy commitment to HIV testing.

After taking the test, Anne said ‘it is important we do not relent on HIV as it continues to affect nearly 100,000 people up and down the country, the majority of whom have either been undiagnosed or were diagnosed late.

‘What we do know is that, crucially, those who are diagnosed early are still able lead full and normal lives, and early detection substantially eases the burden on the NHS.’

During the event members of the Halve It steering group, including leading HIV clinicians and CEOs of patient and policy organisations, spoke with parliamentarians about HIV testing and related sexual health issues.

David Furnish, Chairman of Elton John AIDS Foundation and Halve It member described the event as “an unprecedented show of support for scaling up HIV testing and solidarity with the 100,000 people living with HIV today in the UK” He continued “successive governments have demonstrated strong support for increasing HIV testing in a broad array of clinical and community settings, it is now crucial that this leadership actually changes practice on the ground”

The ‘Halfway to World AIDS day’ event also showcased the recent launch of the NICE local government briefing on HIV testing and the MEDFASH/Halve It toolkit for local engagement. The event culminated in a parliamentary meeting at which the Shadow Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham spoke alongside representatives from NICE, Public Health England, the Greater Manchester Sexual Health Network and the Terrence Higgins Trust on the imperative for translating HIV testing policy into practice.

Professor Kevin Fenton, Public Health England’s Director of Health and Wellbeing said “The new briefing from NICE is an important document for local authorities (who are now responsible for HIV testing) and will help them to decide on the best steps to take locally. We look forward to working with NICE and Halve It to make sure that the document is adopted by local decision makers to realise the health and economic benefits of preventing onward transmission”

Public Health Minister, Jane Ellison said “HIV testing has never been easier and the majority of people diagnosed can expect to lead healthy and productive lives with a near normal life expectancy. We want as many people as possible to get tested, particularly in groups at increased risk, as early as possible which is why we recently legalised HIV self-testing. Halve It has done excellent work to raise awareness in this area and help reduce the stigma around HIV testing.”

In the UK over 98,400 people live with HIV every day of the year; 22% of these are undiagnosed and 47% are diagnosed late. The sooner HIV is diagnosed the sooner appropriate care can begin, and thanks to medical advancements the life expectancy of someone living with HIV has increased markedly in recent years. By ensuring that HIV testing becomes routine there will be significant long-term savings; with one early HIV diagnosis saving the NHS £63,061.

Halve It is a national coalition that focuses on the expansion of HIV testing services, on the basis that early testing of HIV saves lives and also results in substantial savings to the public health budget. Since its inception in 2010, Halve It has galvanised national and local cross-party support for HIV testing, and is supported in its aims by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.