Liverpool is making significant strides in its goal to eliminate new HIV transmissions by 2030, marked by a sharp decline in late diagnoses and the immediate rollout of a groundbreaking injectable prevention drug. New data reveals the city's success in expanding testing and preventative care, positioning Liverpool at the forefront of public health innovation in the UK.
Health officials have confirmed that Axess Sexual Health, the city's NHS provider, will be one of the first in the country to offer cabotegravir, a long-acting injectable form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This development follows its recent endorsement by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and provides a crucial alternative for individuals who find daily oral medication challenging.
Key Takeaways
- Liverpool's late HIV diagnosis rate has fallen from 57% to 36% in three years.
- The city's sexual health service is among the first in the UK to offer a new long-acting injectable PrEP.
- HIV testing has increased by 7.5%, supported by innovative opt-out testing in A&E departments.
- These efforts are part of Liverpool's commitment to the global Fast Track Cities initiative to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.
Dramatic Improvements in Diagnosis and Prevention
Recent figures from 2024 highlight the success of Liverpool's focused public health strategy. The city has seen a significant drop in the number of people diagnosed with HIV at a late stage, a critical indicator of the effectiveness of testing programmes. Three years ago, 57% of diagnoses were considered late; that figure has now been reduced to just 36%.
Early diagnosis is vital as it allows individuals to start life-saving treatment sooner, improving their long-term health outcomes and preventing further transmission of the virus.
By the Numbers: Liverpool's Progress
- 36%: Current rate of late HIV diagnoses, down from 57%.
- 7.5%: Increase in the volume of HIV tests conducted across the city.
- 2030: The target year for ending all new HIV transmissions in Liverpool.
This improvement is attributed to a 7.5% increase in HIV testing. The expansion of testing services, including innovative opt-out testing in hospital emergency departments and accessible sexual health clinics, has played a major role in reaching more people than ever before.
A Game-Changer in HIV Prevention Arrives
The most recent development is the introduction of injectable PrEP. The drug, cabotegravir, offers protection against HIV without the need for a daily pill. It is administered via injection by a healthcare professional, providing a long-acting alternative that can transform prevention for many.
What is PrEP?
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication taken by people who are HIV-negative to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective. The introduction of an injectable option removes the barrier of needing to remember a daily pill.
Liverpool's rapid adoption of this new technology underscores its commitment to public health. Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing, praised the move.
“We warmly welcome the introduction of injectable HIV PrEP technology. This is a vital addition to our prevention toolkit that has the potential to transform how people protect themselves against HIV. We’ve made great progress improving testing and PrEP access in Liverpool, and this will help us reach even more people.”
Dr Martyn Wood, Clinical Director at Axess Sexual Health, confirmed the service's readiness to implement the new treatment. “We’re really pleased with Liverpool’s latest HIV data, which reflects the growing accessibility of testing and support across the city,” he said. “We’re especially excited about the role that digital PrEP pathways and new injectable technologies can play.”
A Coordinated City-Wide Effort
Liverpool's success is not accidental but the result of a coordinated partnership under the global Fast Track Cities initiative. This network of cities is committed to achieving ambitious public health goals related to HIV, and Liverpool's progress is a testament to the collaboration between the city council, public health bodies, and NHS services.
Professor Matthew Ashton, Liverpool's Director of Public Health, celebrated the news but emphasised that the work must continue.
“This is excellent news for Liverpool. Fewer people are being diagnosed late, which means better health outcomes and reduced transmission. We have made great strides in improving testing and PrEP access in the city, and the announcement of new PrEP technologies like this, which Liverpool clinics have been piloting, will help us go further and faster.”
Professor Ashton also added a note of caution. “There is still a lot more work to be done though. Our Fast Track Partnership has ambitious plans and actions to help ensure we end all new HIV transmissions by 2030.”
Innovative Programmes Driving Change
The city's leadership is built on several innovative schemes designed to make testing and prevention as easy as possible. These include:
- PrEP Express: A streamlined service to help people access PrEP quickly and easily.
- Emergency Department Testing: Opt-out testing for HIV is offered to patients in A&E, normalising the process and catching cases that might otherwise be missed.
- Targeted Outreach: Focused efforts to engage with under-served communities to ensure equitable access to services and information.
These combined efforts are creating a robust framework to support public health and move the city closer to its 2030 goal. For residents seeking more information on HIV testing or accessing PrEP, services are available through Axess Sexual Health and support is offered by Liverpool PaSH.