Agenda item - Reducing late diagnosed HIV infection

1)              That the approaches being taken to reduce late diagnosed HIV infection be noted and supported.

Introduction

66.1    The Board considered an approved Notice of Motion from Council and a report of the Director of Public Health which was provided in response to the Notice of Motion of 11^th December 2014 on the HIV Diagnosis – Halve it campaign.  The paper described HIV infection in Brighton and Hove and the current initiatives to reduce the numbers of people diagnosed late and living with undiagnosed HIV infection.  The report was presented by the Lead Commissioner HIV and Sexual Health. 

          Questions and Discussion

66.2    Councillor Norman informed the Board that he had proposed the Notice of Motion.  Councillor Norman was grateful for the detailed report and was happy with the recommendations.   He stressed that the council must keep on pursuing this important work.

66.3    Councillor Jarrett mentioned that the Terrence Higgins Trust was carrying out very good work on this issue.  He asked if it would be more difficult for Brighton & Hove to achieve the Halve it aims as it already had a lower late diagnosis rate than the national South East average.   The Lead Commissioner HIV and Sexual Health agreed it would be harder for the city but stated that there was a determination to reduce late diagnosis further.

66.4    Frances McCabe noted that the figures for black women were high and she asked if there was specific work with this group.  The Lead Commissioner HIV and Sexual Health explained that the Terrence Higgins Trust had a dedicated African HIV Worker who worked with community and faith groups.  NICE guidance was that in areas of high prevalence, all men being offered a blood test and all African women who were offered a blood test in primary care should be offered opt out HIV testing.  People in risk groups were also offered HIV testing.    

66.5    RESOLVED:

(1)             That the approaches being taken to reduce late diagnosed HIV infection be noted and supported.