County Hall health chiefs have put their weight behind a national campaign to support the early diagnosis of people with HIV.
The ‘Halve it’ initiative is supported by a coalition of national experts and influential organisations including the Terrance Higgins Trust, The Royal College of General Practitioners and the Elton John Aids Foundation.
Councillor Teresa Heritage, Herts County Council’s cabinet member for localism and public health, said: “We know that health outcomes for people with HIV are better when they are diagnosed earlier, so it’s really important they get tested.”
Action across the county includes increasing HIV testing through GPs, pharmacies, and other healthcare and community routes, particularly in areas where HIV rates and late diagnoses are highest and the introduction of a new service which will allow people to get free home sampling kits online.
If you want to find out more about the sexual health services, including where you can have an HIV test, call Sexual Health Hertfordshire on 0300 008 5522.
Find out more about the campaign at www.halveit.org.uk.
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