HIV on the rise in the capital
There has recently been an increase in the number of new HIV diagnoses in London and in England, following several years where the number of new diagnoses had declined.1
In London, there were 1,543 HIV diagnoses in 2023, representing an 11 per cent rise from 2022 and a 1 per cent rise from 2019.1
In the first of a two-meeting investigation, the London Assembly Health Committee will examine:
- What progress has been made in London to reach the international targets of zero new HIV infections, zero HIV-related stigma and zero HIV-related deaths by 2030, which the Mayor has signed up to
- How signing the Fast Track Cities Declaration has impacted Mayoral work on HIV transmission in London, and what further action he could take
- The specific challenges in London to achieving the zero targets by 2030, and how these are being addressed (including comparisons with other UK and international cities)
- Persisting health inequalities pertaining to HIV amongst particular demographics, including minority ethnic and LGBTQ+ groups
- What actions are being taken by local authorities, NHS England and the voluntary sector to meet the target of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030
The guests are:
Panel 1 – 2:00 – 3:30pm
- Jane Anderson, Consultant Physician in HIV Medicine at Homerton University Hospital; Co-Chair, Fast Track Cities Leadership Group
- Alison Brown, Consultant Scientist, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
- Tamara Djuretic, Head Consultant for HIV and Sexual Health, UKHSA
- Jonathan O’Sullivan, Director of Public Health, Islington Council; HIV Lead, Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) London
Panel 2 – 3:30 – 5:00pm
- Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Terrence Higgins Trust
- Robbie Currie, Chief Executive Officer, National AIDS Trust
- Dr Lisa Hamzah, Consultant, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Co-Chair of the London HIV Clinical Forum
The meeting will take place on Monday 18 November from 2pm in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Follow us @LondonAssembly.
Notes to editors
- UKHSA, HIV testing, PrEP, new HIV diagnoses and care outcomes for people accessing HIV services: 2024 report, 1 October 2024
- Full agenda papers.
- Krupesh Hirani AM, Chair of the Health Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Health Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more details, please contact Alison Bell in the Assembly Media Office on 07887 832 918. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.