Patients joining health practices are to be tested for HIV under a new pilot scheme announced by the government.
Department of Health officials hope the initiative, due to to be trialled for 12 months in Brighton and Hove and Lewisham, will improve HIV detection and curb the spread of the virus.
If successful, the project may be extended across the country, making HIV testing routine in all doctors’ surgeries.
Sir Liam Donaldson, the government’s chief medical officer, said: “Tackling HIV cannot be left to the specialists alone.
“HIV remains a serious and often stigmatised health condition that may deter individuals from actively seeking or being offered an HIV test.
“I would welcome suggestions for how to improve the current situation and your feedback on what, specifically, are the barriers to testing among GPs.”
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