A round table on Opt-Out HIV and hepatitis testing across the West Midlands, held on Tuesday, July 25 at Birmingham City Council House, honoured the work of two local HIV activists and campaigners.
Artist Garry Jones and Positive Peers project lead, Rachel Greaves, were honoured with awards for their work on The Ribbons, Birmingham AIDS and HIV Memorial (BAHM). Presented by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, the awards were “in recognition of your contribution to the West Midlands through BAHM.”
Garry Jones told Scene magazine: “It was an unexpected surprise and great to be recognised for our hard work for The Ribbons. It was also wonderful that West Midlands are coming together to get Opt-Out HIV testing in A&E.”
The awards were presented as part of a larger event addressing the rolling out of Opt-Out HIV and hepatitis testing across West Midlands A&E; a scheme which saw over 2,000 new diagnoses in the first year when funding was allocated as part of the Government’s HIV Action Plan for the highest prevalence areas of London, Brighton, Manchester and Blackpool.
Terrence Higgins Trust, Saving Lives, HIV clinicians, Positive Peers, BAHM, members of Parliament, and Andy Street came together to stress the lifesaving potential of Opt-Out HIV and hepatitis testing in A&E across the West Midlands.
Terrence Higgins Trust reported that “Five out of seven boroughs in the West Midlands have a ‘high’ prevalence of HIV – Wolverhampton, Coventry, Sandwell, Birmingham and Walsall. But the region is currently missing out on opt-out blood borne virus testing — it would cost just £1.6 million a year to implement it.”
Andy Street called for this testing to be expanded to the West Midlands, a call which echoed his sentiment from late in 2022. He said: “Sadly HIV still affects local people living here in the place we all call home and we know opt-out HIV testing can save and change lives.”
