LEEDS

Situated in the heart of the UK and the North of England, Leeds is the third largest (population of 822,483 in 2022) and one of the fastest growing, greenest cities in the country. Leeds is a vibrant, multicultural city with a rich and diverse cultural scene, offering a mix of art, music, film, and theatre. Leeds is a high prevalence area for HIV with 2.77 per 1,000 of the population diagnosed with HIV (2023 data) and an above national average late diagnosis rate. Leeds became a Fast-Track City in February 2023.

As a city we are proud that we have already achieved the UNAIDS 95:95:95 targets for HIV. Yet to reach our ultimate goal of no new HIV, TB and viral hepatitis infections plus the elimination of stigma in relation to all of these infections in Leeds by 2030, we still have a lot of work to do. In order to help us achieve these goals we joined the global Fast-Tack Cities initiative in February 2023 and signed up to both the Paris and Sevilla Declarations.

In relation to our Fast-Tack Cities launch in February 2023 Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health at Leeds City Council said:

“Leeds has long history of investment and innovation around HIV prevention, education and testing. Becoming a Fast-Track City will help to galvanise our collective knowledge, experience and assets towards a shared ambition of Zero new HIV infections, Zero AIDS-related deaths and Zero HIV-related stigma by the end of this decade”

Councillor Salma Arif, Executive Member for public health and active lifestyles said:

“I am delighted that Leeds will become the first Fast-Track City in the Yorkshire and Humber region. We know that Stigma, misinformation, and discrimination still play a huge part in preventing people from accessing testing and treatment and we want to tackle this collectively as a city and have people at the heart of our work “

Rebecca Pullin, Programme Lead at BHA Leeds Skyline said:

‘Joining Fast-Track Cities is a wonderful opportunity to solidify Leeds’ commitment to ensure no person living with HIV faces stigma or discrimination because of their HIV status. As we collectively work towards zero HIV transmissions by 2030 stigma and discrimination still play huge part in preventing people from accessing effective treatment, our support and to live well with HIV. BHA Leeds Skyline has a long-standing commitment to support people living with HIV through peer support, empowerment, and education.’

Dr Sarah Schoeman, Chair of Leeds Fast-Track Cities Leadership Group & GUM Consultant, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust said:

‘We’re really proud and excited that Leeds is joining the global Fast Track Cities community and making this commitment to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. The key to ending new HIV infections is ensuring that everyone knows their HIV status and being a Fast-Track City will help us achieve this in Leeds. HIV testing is quick, easy, confidential and saves lives by enabling informed decision making. Anyone who tests positive can access free treatment which controls the virus and keeps them and their sexual partners healthy. Anyone who tests negative and is at risk of HIV can access free treatment to reduce their risk of getting HIV = pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Use National HIV Testing Week to your advantage – take an HIV test & take control.’

In our first two years we have:

• established our Leeds Fast-Track Leadership Group and sub-groups
• united HIV, TB and viral hepatitis stakeholders across the city
• established stronger links and relationships with other UK & international Fast-Track Cities which has enabled shared learning
• held successful workshops to map current service provision across the city – identify gaps & opportunities
• launched the Leeds Fast-Track Cities Community Grants Programme with fantastic results
• connected with wider training providers across Leeds to deliver digital HIV, TB and

viral hepatitis training for health and social care staff

• re-established opt-out HIV, hepatitis B & C testing in Leeds Emergency departments
• increased PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) provision to women and young men who have sex with men across the city
• created a PrEP for women information video: PrEP 4 Women Video – Yorkshire MESMAC
• produced a short report and video on our first year achievements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvQW7BNUjJk.
• You can read the report here: Leeds FTC one year on report

Leeds Fast Track City Partners

• Leeds City Council
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust
• Yorkshire MESMAC
• Leeds Community Healthcare Trust
• Leeds Health & Care Partnership
• BHA Leeds Skyline
• Forward Leeds
• UK Health Security Agency
• Leeds GP Confederation
• NHS England

Leeds Fast-Track City website: Leeds Fast Track Cities – West Yorkshire Liver Care Network

Leeds Fast-Track City email address: fast-track-city@Leeds.gov.uk