The Mayor has been urged to consider how Transport for London's (TfL) advertising estate to support campaigns that raise awareness of HIV testing in the run up to 2030, the target date set by the Mayor and Government for eliminating new HIV transmissions.
In 2022, London became the first city in England to establish opt-out HIV testing in all emergency departments, which has led to hundreds of people living with HIV being identified and supported with treatment for the first time.
This has led to the London Assembly passing a motion today calling for the Mayor to consider using TfL’s advertising estate to support HIV testing campaigns.
It has also called for the Mayor to continue to work through the London Health Board and with public health agencies to continue London’s progress towards eliminating new HIV transmissions by 2030.
Léonie Cooper AM, who proposed the motion, said:
“London would not be the vibrant and thriving city that it is without its LGBT+ community. Sadly, even in the 21st century LGBT+ Londoners still face discrimination and inequality.
“This year’s LGBT+ History month theme of medicine shone a light on the inequalities our LGBT+ community members have faced in healthcare.
“I’m pleased that the London Assembly has not only asked the Mayor to consider how we can best promote testing and work toward eradicating HIV, but also for the government to make sure we remember the history of this epidemic with the HIV/AIDS memorial.”
Andrew Boff AM, who seconded the motion, said:
“I’m pleased to have seconded this motion which calls on Sadiq Khan to consider how TfL’s advertising estate can raise awareness of HIV and HIV testing, as well as working with public health bodies to ensure we hit our target of eliminating new HIV transmissions by 2030.
“Although significant progress has been made towards this goal, including an investment of over £20 million from the Government and the establishment of opt-out HIV testing in all of London’s emergency departments, there is still some way to go to ensure we stamp out new HIV transmissions for good.”
The full text of the motion is:
The London Assembly notes that LGBT+ history month took place in February 2024, with the theme of medicine. It celebrates LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to the field of medicine and healthcare whilst shining a light on the LGBT+ community’s experience of inequalities in receiving healthcare.
The Assembly would like to thank campaigners and activists for organising events in London and at the GLA to celebrate the huge contributions made by LGBT+ Londoners to our city. LGBT+ History Month also plays a key role in providing an opportunity to reflect on the discrimination that is still faced by London’s LGBT+ communities.
The Assembly notes the government’s commitment to invest over £20 million in this area, to deliver a national HIV prevention program to raise awareness of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing and prevention strategies. Through Integrated Care System (ICS) allocations, this included £5 million for hospitals across London in 2022-23.
The also Assembly notes that some LGBT+ Londoners are in at-risk groups for HIV transmission and that London has made significant progress towards achieving the Mayor and government’s target to eliminate new HIV transmissions in London by 2030. In 2022, London became the first city in England to establish opt-out HIV testing in all emergency departments, which has led to hundreds of people living with HIV being identified and supported with treatment for the first time.
The Assembly calls on the Mayor to:
- Consider how TfL's advertising estate can support campaigns that raise awareness of HIV and testing in the run up to 2030, the target date for eliminating new HIV transmissions.
- Continue to work through the London Health Board and with public health agencies to continue London’s progress towards eliminating new HIV transmissions by 2030.
- Update the Assembly on progress with the HIV/AIDS memorial.
Notes to editors
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Watch the webcast.
- Léonie Cooper AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interview.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Anthony Smyth on 07763 251727. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.