Fast-Track Cities UK & Ireland Unconference 2025: Driving Action to End HIV

Fast-Track Cities UK & Ireland Unconference 2025: Driving Action to End HIV

On 31 January 2025, the Fast-Track Cities UK & Ireland annual meeting took place in Bristol, bringing together charities, policymakers, healthcare professionals, community advocates, and people with lived experience. The goal? To accelerate progress toward ending HIV transmission by 2030.

Unlike traditional conferences, the unconference methodology allowed attendees to shape the agenda, engage in meaningful discussions, and work together to find real solutions.

Key takeaways from the event

Breaking down stigma and inequality

• Stigma is still a major obstacle to HIV prevention, testing, and care.
• Education, positive messaging, and community-led initiatives are vital for tackling stigma.
• Access to HIV testing is not equal, especially in primary care.
• More must be done to address self-stigma and discrimination in healthcare.
• Cultural barriers and misinformation keep some communities from engaging—targeted communication is essential.

Expanding HIV prevention and testing

• PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) needs to be more accessible—better pharmacy integration and awareness campaigns are key.
• Opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments is identifying cases but needs stable funding.
• More training is needed for primary care providers to routinely offer HIV testing.
• Testing must be equally available in rural and marginalised communities.
• Community-led testing models can bridge accessibility gaps.

Policy, funding and governance

• Fragmented healthcare systems and inconsistent funding make it hard to expand services.
• Long-term investment in peer support and community-driven initiatives is essential.
• Fast-Track Cities governance should be strengthened for better coordination at all levels.
• A broader Fast-Track Nations approach could better support rural and regional areas.
• Advocacy is crucial to securing ongoing government support for HIV prevention and care.

Community-led solutions

• Peer support is critical to reaching underserved communities.
• Collaboration with marginalised groups must be meaningful, not just a checkbox.
• Addressing wider issues like immigration, housing, and mental health can improve HIV service uptake.
• Funding models should prioritise long-term community leadership instead of short-term projects.
• Supporting grassroots organisations will strengthen local HIV responses.

Technology and innovation

• AI and digital tools can improve efficiency but must not replace human-centered care.
• Digital outreach can connect hard-to-reach communities with vital services.
• Ethical concerns around AI and data privacy must be carefully managed.
• Better data-sharing can enhance regional collaboration and prevent duplicated efforts.
• Webinars and online platforms can help Fast-Track Cities exchange knowledge.

The Next Bold Steps

1. Expand HIV education: Bring HIV awareness into schools, youth programs, and workplaces.
2. Strengthen governance: Create a Fast-Track Cities Chair Forum and a national resource hub.
3. Improve healthcare integration: Train primary care providers, expand opt-out testing, and make PrEP more accessible.
4. Secure long-term funding: Advocate for sustained government investment and explore public-private partnerships.
5. Leverage technology: Build a digital platform to share research, training, and policy updates.
6. Engage the public: Use media and events to normalise conversations around HIV and tackle stigma.

Building a stronger UK & Ireland network

• Create a shared digital space for continuous learning and collaboration.
• Form regional and national advisory groups to connect Fast-Track Cities.
• Share learning, ideas and best practices between local initiatives, including smaller cities and rural areas.
• Support leadership development to empower individuals advocating for policy changes and funding.
• Organise regional conferences and cross-city collaborations to align strategies and share knowledge.

Connecting cities and towns

• Develop partnerships between cities with similar challenges to exchange ideas.
• Ensure rural areas are included in national HIV prevention strategies.
• Use digital platforms to maintain engagement year-round.
• Support joint funding applications for multi-city initiatives.
• Encourage cities to share their successes and lessons learned for a transparent, learning-focused network.

Moving forward together

The Unconference reaffirmed a shared commitment to ending HIV transmission and improving the lives of people living with HIV. To reach the 2030 goal, decision-makers and funders must prioritise investment, policy alignment, and system-wide change—ensuring no one is left behind.

Read about the UK & Ireland cities network here.

Email us at rf-tr.londonftci@nhs.net  to request to join the NHS Futures platform where we are developing a space for the UK & Ireland network to share projects, resources and learning.

Thanks to Gilead Pharmaceuticals for sponsoring the event and to our facilitators at CoLab International www.colabinternational.co.uk for all their support and expertise.