HIV: Late Diagnosis

Baroness Masham of Ilton Excerpts

Monday 1st December 2014 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

It is far too early for me to say how the new money will be spent. In any case, that has to be a decision for commissioners weighing up the healthcare priorities that face them. But the new money is excellent news for the NHS, and there will be a Statement later today about that.

[Baroness Masham of Ilton (CB)]

My Lords, how many undiagnosed people with HIV does the Minister think there are? Would it not be beneficial to have testing of HIV, TB and hep C all together to save money and to pick up more infections?

[Earl Howe]

I shall have to take advice on the second question posed by the noble Baroness, which I do not know the answer to. But in answer to her first question, an estimated 107,800 people were living with HIV in the UK in 2013, of whom 24% were unaware of their infection, remain at risk of infecting others and are unable to benefit from effective treatment. That is why it is so very important that we target the at-risk communities to urge them to get tested, either in a clinic or through self-testing kits, which are now legal.