A Joint Statement from the Fast-Track Cities London Co-Chairs Professor Jane Anderson and Professor Kevin Fenton
National HIV Testing Week (9–15 February) is a vital moment to reaffirm why HIV testing remains central to London’s ambition to end new HIV transmissions, eliminate preventable death and stop HIV associated stigma.
London has made extraordinary progress in recent years. Thanks to major advances in treatment and prevention, HIV is now a manageable long-term condition, and people on effective treatment cannot pass the virus on. But this progress depends on one crucial step: people knowing their HIV status. Testing is the gateway to treatment, prevention and support, and one of the most powerful tools we have to protect both individual and public health.
Prevention, partnership and national action
These local efforts sit alongside London’s HIV Prevention Programme, including the Do It London public health campaign, which continues to promote HIV testing, increase awareness and access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and encourage stigma-free conversations about sexual health across the capital.
During National HIV Testing Week, HIV Prevention England – supported by Terrence Higgins Trust – is playing this crucial national role by promoting free and accessible HIV testing, including HIV self-testing, raising awareness of prevention options such as PrEP, and supporting community-led action to reach those most affected by HIV. This national leadership complements London’s local action, ensuring consistent, inclusive messages about testing, prevention and living well with HIV.
Together, these initiatives show what is possible when public health leadership, healthcare services, community organisations and national programmes work in partnership towards a shared goal.
The impact of opt-out testing in London
We are seeing the real benefits of making HIV testing more visible, accessible and routine across the capital.
The expansion of opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments has been a major success, identifying people who may not otherwise have tested and enabling earlier diagnosis and faster access to care. Crucially, this approach helps normalise HIV testing by making it part of routine healthcare, reducing stigma and missed opportunities.
Fast-Track Cities London has also supported an opt-out blood-borne virus (BBV) testing pilot in primary care. By embedding HIV testing into everyday health pathways, this work strengthens early diagnosis, improves joined-up care and demonstrates how health systems can better meet the needs of communities most affected by HIV.
Tackling stigma and strengthening primary care
Primary care continues to play a critical role in ending HIV. Through Fast-Track Cities London’s HIV GP Champions programme, GP practices across London are being supported to tackle stigma, build confidence among healthcare professionals and create spaces where HIV can be discussed openly, respectfully and without judgement.
This work is essential to ensuring earlier diagnosis, better engagement in care and a health system where everyone feels able to test and access support.
A shared commitment to ending HIV
National HIV Testing Week is also a reminder that HIV testing should not be a one-off. Regular testing supports earlier diagnosis, improves health outcomes and helps prevent onward transmission. It must be a normal part of looking after our health – free from fear, shame or stigma.
As Fast-Track Cities London Co-Chairs, we encourage organisations, services and communities across London to support this week by sharing messages, promoting testing opportunities and helping ensure HIV testing remains visible, routine and accessible – this week and all year round.
Getting to zero is within reach. By continuing to prioritise HIV testing, prevention and stigma reduction, we can ensure London stays on track to end new HIV transmissions and that everyone has the opportunity to live well.
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