Westminster MPs highlight importance of HIV testing

Last night, November 30 2016, 19 Westminster MPs helped to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing, with eight taking an HIV test in Parliament.

web-600 — (Left to right) Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS and Cristian Sandulescu, Patient Representative from the Bloomsbury Network at Mortimer Market Centre

The event, which was organised by CNWL and the Bloomsbury Network, in partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS took place on the eve of World AIDS Day 2016 (December 1) and also marked the end of National HIV Testing Week.

A team of experts from CNWL’s Bloomsbury HIV Clinic, supported by staff from the Bloomsbury Network, a ground-breaking peer support organisation for people with HIV, both based at Mortimer Market Centre, offered on-site HIV testing, information and advice to MPs.

The team, which included a HIV consultant physician, two senior nurses, and a patient representative, used the latest testing technology, providing a result almost instantly to the eight MPs who tested.

web-600-2 — Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, attended the HIV testing event in Parliament to show support for HIV testing

Although HIV is manageable and people with HIV can lead a healthy life with a near-normal life expectancy, late diagnosis of HIV remains an important public health issue in the UK.

Seventeen per cent of people with HIV in the UK (13,000) people are unaware of their status and therefore not getting the care they need. A person with untreated HIV is more likely to pass the virus on and more likely to become ill.

Encouraging people to test for HIV, and to access highly effective treatment if needed, remains more important than ever.

Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS, said: “Today’s testing event in Parliament was all about normalising HIV testing and showing how quick and easy it is. The stigma and fear around HIV needs to be a thing of the past. Eight MPs were tested for HIV this morning, hopefully that will inspire more of the public to do the same.”

Cristian Sandulescu, Patient Representative from the Bloomsbury Network at Mortimer Market Centre, added: “HIV testing is about looking after yourself and being responsible and this event helps show the way. HIV is a long-term manageable condition and the earlier the diagnosis, the better it is for the patient, so it’s important to get tested no matter who you are.”

HIV is a virus that can affect any sexually active person and children born to HIV positive women.

Dr Laura Waters, HIV Lead at CNWL, said: “The fear and stigma surrounding HIV is still a barrier to testing – by showing how quickly a result can be provided in non-traditional settings we hope to show just how simple testing is. Effective HIV treatment normalises life expectancy and almost eliminates the risk of passing the virus on but people with HIV cannot experience these benefits if they are undiagnosed.”

MPs who took an HIV test included:

Philip Boswell, MP for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill

Mark Durkan, MP for Foyle

Neil Gray, MP for Airdrie and Shotts

Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood

Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North

Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd

Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood

Chris Stephens, MP for Glasgow South West

MPs who attended this event to show support for HIV testing included:

Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire

Maria Eagle, MP for Garston and Halewood