Trust’s HIV project features on Channel 4 News
Today, 1 December, is World AIDS Day. In an exclusive report yesterday, Channel 4 News highlighted the excellent work that the Trust has been doing to identify patients with HIV who were unaware they had the virus so that they can receive vital treatment.
Lewisham Borough is an area with extremely high HIV rates. Since 2018, the Emergency Department (ED) at University Hospital Lewisham (UHL) has been testing every patient for HIV who is over 18 and requires a blood test, unless they opt out. This programme is a partnership between UHL, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and local NHS commissioners, with the overall aim of achieving zero new HIV infections by the year 2030.
The independent HIV Commission is calling for the testing programme to be rolled out nationally wherever blood is taken, for example GP surgeries and hospitals.
For the report, Channel 4’s Health and Social Care Editor, Victoria Macdonald, interviewed consultant Dr Melanie Rosenvinge and Clinical Nurse Specialist Lucy Wood from UHL’s Alexis (HIV) clinic.
“The HIV testing programme has been a huge success,” said Dr Rosenvinge. “By diagnosing early you prevent people becoming unwell and also prevent them passing the virus on to someone else.”
The Trust has made 41 new diagnoses through the testing, with the first diagnosis in an 85 year old patient. Nearly half of these diagnoses were in patients who attended ED with issues unrelated to their HIV, such as fractures, mental health issues and cardiac problems.
Victoria Macdonald interviewed two patients diagnosed with HIV after coming to ED for other issues. Both were shocked by the diagnosis but are doing well on treatment.
The testing has also identified 24 patients who were not engaging with HIV services and were off treatment. Almost all of these patients have now reengaged with care and are taking medication for their HIV effectively.
“It is because of this treatment and the increase in testing that we can talk about eradicating new infections over the coming years,” said Lucy Wood.
AIDS campaigner David Furnish, also interviewed as part of the report, said that catching HIV early saves up to £250,000 in long term costs.
Despite this, people living with HIV continue to experience difficulties disclosing their HIV status and may have received negative reactions, even in healthcare settings. The Trust is working hard to ensure it is recognised as an "HIV-friendly" organisation.
Also on World Aids Day, sexual health services at the Trust will be rolling out HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
PrEP is a well-tolerated single-tablet that is taken either on a daily basis or around the time sexual exposure is likely. It is safe and highly effective in preventing HIV infection.