Patients visiting their GPs at Guy’s and st Thomas hospital will be offered a test for HIV for the first time ever during national HIV testing week.

All patients in Lambeth and Southwark attending GP appointments and blood tests will be offered a finger prick test or extra blood to be taken; during their blood test, to test for HIV. 

This week is National HIV testing week, many charities and hospitals will join to promote testing and educate the public on the severity of the disease. “Testing for HIV should be seen as no different from going for a routine eye test or dental check-up.” Says Alex Sparrowhawk , Programme Officer, for HIV Prevention England.

Emma Willis from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust said: “All GP’s and A&E should be offering HIV tests in high prevalence areas. However the reality is that this is not happening everywhere for every patient,”

Recent statistics from the government, suggest London had the highest diagnosis rate in the UK by 1000, more specifically Southwark and Lambeth boroughs are the highest within the UK.  As a whole the UK diagnosis rate is reducing.

Public Health England released statistics implying the increase in action against HIV has reduced the diagnosis rate with a 29% decline in 2018 and is still decreasing now. ” The number of people in the UK living with HIV who are not aware of their status is  currently 1 in 12. This is much improved from 5-10 years ago when it used to be 1 in 5. “said Willis.

Takudzwa Mukiwa, leader of HIV Prevention England at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “It’s great to see Guy’s and St Thomas’ and GPs in Lambeth and Southwark leading the way and encouraging local residents to get tested during National HIV Testing .

Campaigns such as ‘Give HIV the finger’ are amongst those reducing diagnosis rates and promoting awareness, which is needed as “people are still unaware and the number of late diagnoses is unacceptably high, 43% of people diagnosed with HIV are diagnosed late,” stated Willis. The campaign promotes local activities and the opportunity to order a free postal HIV test. Many celebrities and influencers such as Dr Ranj who tweeted “Getting tested is SO quick and easy… you need to know your status!” is amongst the movement to educate and offer testing to all patients.

Liam Beatie a PR from Terrance Higgins Trust ,which leads the campaign stated, ” Southwark and Lambeth account for some of the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses in the UK “so ” it was really great to see the NHS taking a proactive step to normalise testing by offering it to all patients.”