The HIV Confident initiative is making great progress in reducing stigma and promoting inclusivity for individuals living with HIV across the UK. Recent developments highlight its expanding reach and the commitment of various organisations to create supportive environments.
Seventeen NHS Trusts and 17 GP practices have participated in introductory webinars and are actively exploring membership in the HIV Confident programme. Newcastle City Council has also joined Lambeth as a pilot local authority, demonstrating a collaborative approach to tackling HIV-related stigma within public services. Furthermore Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has become a founding NHS member, implementing measures such as staff training, policy reviews, and the rollout of an anti-stigma eLearning package to ensure a supportive environment for both patients and staff.
The newly refreshed HIV Confident website is performing well with the number of eLearning participants in the last quarter increasing from 728 to 927, indicating a growing engagement with the programme’s educational offerings. Welsh translations of existing modules have been completed, and a new Social Care module is entering production, reflecting the initiative’s commitment to inclusivity and linguistic diversity.
HIV Confident is actively exploring expansion into several sectors. Plans are underway to introduce the programme into Social Care by summer 2025, with ongoing conversations regarding its implementation in Dentistry, Ambulance Services, and Police. Longer-term aspirations include extending the programme to Education, the Fire Service, and Prisons/Probation, aiming to create a comprehensive network of HIV-inclusive services across various public sectors.
The HIV Confident programme continues to move forward in addressing and creating inclusive and supportive environments for individuals living with HIV, with its expanding reach and proactive approach to overcoming challenges.