Devon urged to ‘go red’ for HIV testing week

People across Devon are being urged to pledge to go red for HIV Testing Week (this week) and World AIDS Day (1 December 2014)

The Eddystone Trust, the local HIV and sexual health charity, and Devon County Council which is the strategic lead for Public Health in the county have joined forces to promote better HIV awareness in Devon

There are an estimated 107,800 people in the UK living with HIV, with over 300 Devon residents (aged 15-59) accessing HIV care; although it is estimated that one in four are unaware they have the condition.

The aim of HIV testing week is:

To increase testing among the most at-risk populations (men who have sex with men (MSM) and black African communities) across England

To increase awareness and acceptability of HIV testing among these groups

To increase access to HIV testing in both community and statutory settings in order to improve early diagnosis and treatment of HIV (and reduce ongoing transmission) among those most at risk.

Devon County Council will be hosting a stand at its headquarters at County Hall, to promote the week and encourage staff and visitors to pledge.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:  “We are really pleased to be working with the Eddystone Trust and service providers to raise awareness of the importance of early testing, and help reduce the stigma of HIV.

“Many of us remember the powerful advertisements in the 90s, which meant that HIV and AIDS were very much at the forefront of our minds.

“We need to remember that HIV has not gone away, and more people than ever are living with the infection; and that it can affect anyone, so we all need to take responsibility in preventing the spread.”

Mags Davies; Director of The Eddystone Trust said:  “We aim to promote and increase HIV testing in all areas – look out for the national ‘It Starts With Me’ campaign which we are supporting and also our own local ‘Keep Calm and Wear One’ promotional materials.

“We want to expand rapid HIV testing across the South West, work with our health colleagues, faith organisations on testing and HIV, promote and increase professionals access to training and seminars on the topics of sexual health and HIV, and we’ll be promoting the campaign on social media. We also want you to pledge to wear a red ribbon.

“It is better to test sooner than later and don’t forget – testing early means that treatment is more likely to be successful’

Eddystone have also launched #WADvent – a World AIDS Day Calendar using a series of social media messages throughout November with information on a range of topics related to HIV and AIDS.

Dr Virginia Pearson, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said:  “In Devon although we have relatively very low numbers of people living with HIV, with fewer than one in a thousand people in the county being affected, national trends show a worrying increase in people with newly-diagnosed HIV.

“With the excellent drug treatments now available, an early diagnosis is far better than leaving things too late.

“The tests are simple to take and take place in a range of settings, so there is no reason not to have one done.”

Anyone can register  their pledge to wear a red ribbon and make a donation to support World AIDS Day and HIV Testing Week:

More information on the Eddystone Trust

Facts about HIV:

42% of people diagnosed late with HIV in 2013; testing early is essential to increase the likelihood of successful treatment

One in 10 new infections come from people recently infected

Each new case of HIV costs the NHS £280,000 -£360,000 in a lifetime, or more for a late diagnosis.

One in 665 people in the UK have HIV

25 infants in the South West are living with HIV

Local events:

-       Thursday 27th November HIV rapid result HIV Testing at The Vaults Pub; Exeter 7-8pm

-       Friday 28th November 2014 County Hall – stall to collect your Red Ribbon and pledge awareness

-       Saturday 29th November Street collection, Green lanes, Barnstaple

-       Saturday 29th November Cathedral Service; Exeter Cathedral from 12.30pm

-       Sunday 30th November HIV Rapid Testing at Gator Sauna, Exeter 12-4pm (Men only session)

-       Monday 1st December ‘Positive SW 2014’ event for people living with HIV