BASHH responds to Women and Equalities Committee report on tackling HIV transmission

19 November 2025 (Last updated: 19 Nov 2025 09:12)

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) responded to the Women and Equalities Committee’s new report, which highlights alarming rises in HIV diagnoses among women and minority ethnic communities, and warns that sexual health services are “extremely stretched” with funding “pared to the bone.”
 
UKHSA data cited in the report shows that while diagnoses among gay and bisexual men have fallen, new HIV diagnoses among women exposed through sex with men have increased by 26% since 2019, and diagnoses among Black African and Asian populations increased by 80% and 40% respectively.
 
Responding to the report, Professor Matt Phillips, BASHH President, said:
 
“BASHH welcomes this report by the Women and Equalities Select Committee and in particular the focus it brings to inexcusable inequalities in sexual health and HIV outcomes, not least those affecting Black women in the UK. Sexual health is women’s health, but women have been particularly affected by fragmented approaches to their sexual health care in a way that has led to inequity of access and a failure to meet varied and multiple needs.
 
We wholeheartedly agree with the committee that maintaining opt-out blood borne virus testing in emergency departments is absolutely vital. This is a proven intervention across hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV which continues to be effective. This is a moment to build on and optimise it, not scale it back.
 
We need also to see urgent strengthening and support for sexual health services. We’ve long been delivering the types of community-based prevention and care that the NHS 10-year plan is striving for, yet this is being consistently undermined by pressures to cut costs. Government and commissioners must work with experts in sexual health and local communities to realise opportunities from new innovations and models of care so that we can provide a holistic and integrated offering that meets the needs of all and ultimately delivers better outcomes. Action is needed to make sure that underserved groups can access interventions like PrEP easily, without unnecessary barriers and that this leads to further access and engagement where in the interests of the person.
 
Without sustained investment and a more integrated approach the UK risks falling short of its HIV reduction targets and further entrenching health inequalities.”