To mark World AIDS Day, Southwark Council announced to be part of a new collaboration to tackle HIV in South East London today.

Southwark Council announced this morning through its official website that it will be working in partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Lambeth, and Lewisham Council to dramatically reduce HIV transmission. This collaboration will bring together local NHS groups, NHS England, Public Health England, as well as the private sector.

Cllr Maisie Anderson, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Social Regeneration, said: “I am pleased to see that Southwark is at the forefront of pioneering new ways of tackling HIV. I know that everyone at Southwark is hugely proud to be working alongside the Elton John AIDS Foundation to really make a difference to communities across the three boroughs that may be at most risk from HIV. I look forward to seeing the progress of this programme and the benefits that this extra funding can bring to local people and services.”

According to the statistics from NHS Southwark CCG, there are an estimated 560 people living with HIV in Southwark who are yet to be diagnosed. And from 2014 to 2016, data highlights that 36.5 per cent of new diagnoses of HIV in Southwark were made at a late stage of infection, higher than the London average. Therefore, this project will focus on increasing HIV testing, reducing late diagnosis and improving engagement in HIV care.

Professor Kevin Fenton said: “In the UK real gains have been thanks to a combination of increased HIV testing, early access to effective HIV treatment, combined with the uptake of preventative measures. This partnership between the Elton John AIDS Foundation and three local authorities is a really exciting step in improving HIV outcomes in South East London.”