President’s Blog – Professor Matt Phillips – November 2025
13 November 2025
(Last updated: 14 Nov 2025 12:42)
As we move into November, there has been much to be proud of and much to look forward to in the coming months. I want to take a moment to reflect on some major developments and to highlight the exceptional work being carried out by colleagues across BASHH and beyond.
New BASHH Board
It is a great pleasure to introduce the new BASHH Board, following the recent election process. Each role was successfully filled through nomination, and we can now share that all positions were confirmed unopposed.
Most notably, I am delighted to announce Dr Cara Saxon as President-Elect and Dr Chris Ward as Vice President-Elect. Both Cara and Chris have been longstanding and deeply valued members of the BASHH team, and having worked closely with them, I have every confidence that when they formally take up their appointments in January 2026, BASHH will be in very safe hands to meet new challenges and continue delivering great success. Please do join me in warmly congratulating them, and the wider Board, on their new roles.
Health and Social Care Sexual Health Evidence Session
I was delighted to be invited as a witness to the Health and Social Care Committee’s evidence session Sexual Health Services in England, which took place in Parliament in October. The session – further details of which are available here – was organised by the Committee to provide their membership with an opportunity to hear from sector voices around the current state of play for sexual health services, and the key recommendations that the Committee should make to the Government.
My attendance at the session followed close engagement with the Committee’s clerks in recent weeks, and provided a platform for me, on behalf of BASHH, to make absolutely clear about the need for increased prioritisation of sexual health within the Government’s wider health plans. We will be working closely with the Committee on their next steps, as part of our ongoing political and policy engagement programme.
NICE Approves Long-acting Cabotegravir for PrEP
One of the most significant items of news this month is NICE’s approval of long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) as an HIV prevention option for people who cannot use oral PrEP and are at increased risk of acquiring HIV-1 infection.
This decision represents a major milestone in the UK’s efforts to end new HIV transmissions by 2030, and strengthens our HIV prevention toolkit considerably. CAB-LA offers an effective, long-acting alternative to daily oral PrEP and will be particularly valuable for individuals who experience challenges in taking daily medication or for whom an injectable option is more appropriate. Evidence continues to show persistent inequalities in PrEP uptake – especially among Black African heterosexual women and men – and CAB-LA has the potential to help close these gaps by widening access and choice.
BASHH welcomed NICE’s decision and we now call for swift and equitable implementation so that those who would benefit most are able to access this vital intervention as quickly as possible, wherever they live in the UK. NHS England has indicated that around 1,000 people could benefit in the first instance, and BASHH will continue to work with partners to ensure delivery is guided by equity, evidence, and clinical excellence.
Toolkit to Support Provision of Complex PrEP
To support services in preparing for CAB-LA implementation, BASHH has published a new toolkit for clinics in England to help inform the provision of complex PrEP. This resource aims to help services identify and address local barriers, ensuring equitable access and consistency of care.
Members can access the toolkit, alongside other PrEP resources via the website.
My thanks also to all those who joined our recent supporting BASHH Bitesize session on 5 November, which focused on the provision of complex PrEP, including cabotegravir. It was excellent to see such strong engagement and discussion from colleagues across services, reflecting the shared commitment to equitable and effective PrEP delivery.
Mpox Update
UKHSA has recently urged all eligible individuals to come forward for mpox vaccination, following reports of small numbers of locally-acquired cases of clade Ib mpox in several European countries and the USA. While mpox is no longer classified as a high consequence infectious disease, the emergence of new transmission patterns serves as an important reminder that ongoing vigilance is essential.
BASHH is working closely with UKHSA, as well as with community partners, such as LoveTank and Terrence Higgins Trust, to monitor the situation and to ensure that public health messaging remains clear, accurate and effective.
Expansion of Access to Emergency Contraception
BASHH also welcomed the Government’s announcement that oral emergency contraception will now be available free of charge from NHS pharmacies across England. This development marks an important step forward for sexual and reproductive healthcare by removing cost barriers and expanding access across nearly 10,000 pharmacies. We look forward to working with partners and policymakers to ensure that this expanded access is supported by clear communication, staff training, and integration with wider sexual health pathways.
BSIG’s New Competencies Assessment Tool
I’d also like to take this opportunity to highlight an excellent new competency assessment tool for microscopy, developed by our Bacterial Specialist Interest Group (BSIG). Microscopy remains a crucial skill within sexual health – allowing rapid diagnosis and timely treatment while complementing molecular testing. The new tool, which sits alongside BSIG’s online microscopy training course, provides a structured way for clinicians to assess and maintain competence.
My thanks go to Lizzie Dale, who shared her reflections in a recent blog. As Lizzie reminds us, ongoing practice and refresher training are key to ensuring accuracy and confidence in microscopy – skills that remain at the heart of high-quality STI care. Resources, including the competencies framework, logbook, and e-learning modules, are available via the BSIG page on the BASHH website.
Looking Ahead
I hope that many of you will join us online on Tuesday 25th November for the publication of the full report of the BASHH EEDI review. This will be a vital discussion about how we embed the findings and recommendations in our future strategic and operational planning. I want to thank everyone who has got it to this stage, including the team at Purple Pen and all on the Advisory Group.
Finally, I am delighted to share that planning is well underway for the Joint BASHH x BHIVA Conference, taking place in April 2026. This event will be an exciting opportunity to bring together the UK’s two foremost clinical societies in HIV and sexual health to share research, explore new developments in clinical management and prevention, and connect with colleagues from across the disciplines.
Abstract submissions are now open, and I strongly encourage members to consider presenting their work to the wider HIV and sexual health community. The abstract deadline is on Monday 19 January 2026. Conference registration will also open later this month, with early bird rates available until Monday 23 March 2026. The registration fee will include access to all scientific sessions, the exhibition, day catering, and more. I very much hope to see many of you there.
As always, for any feedback, thoughts, and engagement – please do reach out to me directly at president@bashh.net.
With best wishes,
Matt
Professor Matt Phillips
BASHH President