Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven was one of 17 legislators who took an HIV test today at a World AIDS Day event hosted by the Halve It campaign and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV & AIDS.
MPs and Peers took a confidential point-of-care test administered by clinicians from the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in demonstration of the UK’s policy commitment to HIV testing and in an act of solidarity with all those living with HIV across the world every day of the year.
This was the fourth HIV testing marathon run by the Halve It campaign. Earlier this year, a record 18 parliamentarians took an HIV test. During the event members of the Halve It Steering Group, including leading HIV clinicians and CEOs of patient and policy organisations, spoke with parliamentarians about the imperative for expanded HIV testing in a variety of settings.
After taking an HIV test, Simon said: “HIV is a significant public health issue both in Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven and across the country. I am proud to support the Halve It campaign and the critical work of its local and national members to drive awareness around HIV testing and reduce late diagnosed and undiagnosed HIV”.
National HIV Testing week started on Saturday, November 21.