Sefton buildings to light up red for World AIDS Day

Bootle Town Hall and The Atkinson in Southport will join landmarks worldwide by lighting up in red on Sunday, 1 December, in observance of World AIDS Day.

The initiative symbolises Sefton’s solidarity with people living with HIV, honours those lost to AIDS-related illnesses. World AIDS Day calls for action against stigma while promoting equitable access to healthcare.

‘Take the rights path: My health, my right!’ is the theme of Sunday’s worldwide event and it highlights the importance of everyone’s right to health. It will see the World Health Organisation (WHO) calling on global leaders and citizens to champion the right to health by addressing the inequalities that hinder progress in ending AIDS.

Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion, said:

“World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.

“We agree wholeheartedly with the WHO, that everyone should have access to the health services they need, including HIV prevention, treatment and care services when and where they need them.

“And that healthcare must be without discrimination, regardless of their HIV status, background, gender or where they live.

“Together, we can continue making progress in addressing stigma and promoting awareness.”

The England HIV 2023 data shows four key areas of success for Sefton’s Integrated Sexual Health and HIV services.

Every Sefton resident who attended for HIV treatment started HIV medication with 91 days of being diagnosed, which places the Borough as second in England. And there was 100% coverage in Sefton adults seen in HIV care, which makes Sefton one of the top three local authorities in England.

Bootle Town Hall. Credit: Sefton Council

Also, over 75% of Sefton residents identified as having a need for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) had initiated or continued taking HIV PrEP medication which prevents people from getting HIV if exposed. This is the highest percentage out of the nine Cheshire & Merseyside areas and third highest in the North West.

And Sefton is surpassing the UNAIDS target that 95% of people receiving HIV medication achieve undetectable levels of the virus within the blood, with 95.3% reporting an undetectable viral load. A person living with HIV who has undetectable levels of virus cannot pass on the virus to a sexual partner. Work is being carried out to identify how to further support the remaining 4.7% of people to achieve this virological success.

Dr Rory McGill, Sefton Council Consultant in Public Health who leads on Sexual Health, said:

“HIV affects people from all walks of life, and it is crucial that prevention, testing, and treatment services are accessible to everyone.

“The England HIV 2023 data recognises we are having considerable success in HIV prevention and treatment in Sefton, but there is still lot for us to do to maintain momentum.

“On World AIDS Day we are a sending out a positive message that as a community we can challenge and remove the stigma that still surrounds HIV and acknowledge the progress around treatment and prevention.”

Sefton Sexual Health Service provides free HIV prevention resources, testing, and expert advice and support to anyone affected or concerned. People can find out more online at www.seftonsexualhealth.nhs.uk or by calling 01695 656550.

Sefton residents can also access free home HIV testing kits online and delivered to their door through SH.UK, the NHS’s sexual health e-service at www.sh.uk/welcome.