Public Health Scotland have today published new data on HIV in Scotland. The report highlighted that the goal of ending new transmissions of HIV by 2030 is still possible, but that more must be done to diagnose people earlier and to improve access to and awareness of prevention tools like PrEP.

In 2025, there were 132 first-ever HIV diagnoses in Scotland – a slight increase from the 125 new diagnoses recorded in 2024. However, 30% of these diagnoses were made at a late stage, meaning an increased risk of individuals falling extremely unwell.

Of those diagnosed with HIV in Scotland, 5% (334 people) had not attended HIV specialist services in the past 18 months. A further 1,070 people are identified as being disengaged from HIV treatment and care, meaning they have not attended any NHS Scotland service in 36 months or that their patient identifier information (CHI number) is unavailable.

Meanwhile, 2,359 people were prescribed PrEP for the first time in 2025. This marked the lowest number of new PrEP prescriptions since 2022.

Alan Eagleson, Head of Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, said: ‘Today’s data shows our incredible progress towards ending new transmissions of HIV in Scotland by 2030 is at risk of stalling and there remain significant gaps in our national HIV response.

‘This is why the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to emergency department opt-out HIV testing and last week’s announcement of the development of a new HIV Action Plan is so vital and welcome. We can still be the first nation in the world to end new cases of HIV, but we must not lose our focus or leave any community behind.'