Recognising the urgency to tackle outdated misconceptions, the Scottish Government has announced additional funding to train healthcare workers to combat stigma and increase awareness.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 27 November, Minister for Public Health, Jenni Minto MSP, reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s commitment to ending new HIV transmissions in Scotland by 2030.

The Minister went on to recognise the “significant impact” of last year’s national HIV anti-stigma campaign and announced that the Scottish Government will fund further training for health and social care staff to increase awareness of HIV and reduce stigma.

First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney MSP, also joined with leading HIV charities to commemorate World AIDS Day 2024 in the Scottish Parliament.
Terrence Higgins Trust, Waverley Care, and National AIDS Trust brought MSPs in the Scottish Parliament together to remember those we have lost to HIV and look towards a future that is free of HIV stigma.

The Scottish Government has committed to ending new cases of HIV by 2030, and in March, published its HIV Transmission Elimination Delivery Plan, setting out a framework for achieving this goal.

Public Health Scotland data published in September shows that there were 126 new first ever HIV diagnoses in 2023. The new data also showed uptake of the HIV prevention pill PrEP has reached near-record highs. Between July and December 2023, a total of 1,277 individuals attended sexual health services to access PrEP for the first time.

However, HIV testing rates have failed to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, 48,012 people received an HIV test in a sexual health service, representing a 19% decline from the 59,297 individuals who received a test in 2019.

Further, YouGov polling undertaken in 2023 ahead of the ‘Stigma is more harmful than HIV campaign’, found that only one-third (35%) of people in Scotland would be happy to kiss someone living with HIV, despite it being known since the 1980s that HIV can’t be passed on through saliva. The data also showed that almost half (46%) of people in Scotland. would be ashamed to tell other people they were HIV positive – demonstrating just how stigmatised a condition HIV remains today. The campaign, which was funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Terrence Higgins Trust in collaboration with sector partners, was the first campaign of its type since the "Don't Die of Ignorance" adverts nearly four decades ago.

First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney MSP, said:

'World AIDS Day is a moment to remember those who we have lost to HIV - it is in their memory that we commit to protect everyone’s health by safeguarding everyone’s rights.
“Securing human rights, particularly the right to health and the rights of those most marginalised from society, is essential to ending transmission of the virus and our HIV Transmission Elimination Delivery Plan.'

'Reducing the stigma around HIV encourages more people to seek testing and treatment without fear of judgement, which is why the Scottish Government is determined to help end HIV-related stigma by reinforcing that human rights extend to freedom from discrimination.'
 

Alan Eagleson, Head of Scotland Services at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: 

'World AIDS Day is about more than a ribbon. It’s about remembering everyone lost to HIV; it’s a promise to support people living with HIV; and it’s a stand against HIV stigma. World AIDS Day also allow us to reflect on the progress that has been made in the fight against HIV and redouble our efforts to end new HIV transmission.'

'It is extremely welcome – and important – that the First Minister stood with people living with HIV ahead of World AIDS Day. A year on from the landmark campaign ‘Stigma is more harmful than HIV’, it is also encouraging that the Scottish Government has announced that further action will be taken to tackle HIV stigma. We know that stigma continues to have a negative impact on the lives of people living with HIV in Scotland and can act as a barrier to testing, treatment and support.'

'As we approach 2030, we must accelerate our efforts to find and support everyone living with HIV in Scotland. Central to achieving our goal must be the expansion and normalisation of HIV testing through the delivery of emergency department opt-out HIV and hepatitis testing and the continuation of funding for the national HIV self-testing service currently delivered by Terrence Higgins Trust. We must also prioritise the role education and of peer-support services, so that people living with HIV in Scotland can access the support they need and live a life free of stigma.'

Grant Sugden, Chief Executive at Waverley Care, said:

'It was fantastic to see the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, and MSPs come together at the Scottish Parliament ahead of World AIDS Day. This moment serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of reflection and action for people living with HIV.
World AIDS Day is an opportunity to remember those we’ve lost, to challenge the stigma that still surrounds HIV, and to promote education about the ever-changing realities of living with the virus.

At Waverley Care, we are committed to ensuring that everyone in Scotland has access to HIV testing, enabling as many people as possible to know their status. It is only by keeping conversations about HIV alive that we can achieve the shared goal of zero new HIV transmission by 2030.

However, reaching zero will require more than just testing. There remain significant gaps in mental health support for people living with HIV, and at Waverley Care, we have seen the transformative impact that peer support can have on wellbeing. These services must be accessible to everyone, no matter where they live in Scotland.

Today’s gathering demonstrates the progress being made, but also underscores the need to redouble our efforts to end new HIV transmission and ensure a bright future for all.'
 

Daniel Fluskey, Director of Policy, Research and Influencing at National AIDS Trust, said:

'We welcome the First Minister’s marking World AIDS Day, and the support of the Scottish Government in working towards the goal of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030.'

'As highlighted in HIV Outcomes UK’s “Beyond the Virus” report exploring the link between HIV and mental health, we believe that this must be a priority moving forward to support everyone to live well with HIV. There is a clear, cost-effective path forward: ensuring people living with HIV are able to access mental health services; expanding peer support and tackling HIV stigma head-on.'