HIV policy in Scotland

HIV Action Plan

A major policy driver in Scotland at the current time is the HIV Action Plan, published in 2009. Fundamental to the HIV Action Plan, is the closer integration of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. The development of this HIV Action Plan signals a renewed focus on HIV and aims to reduce transmission and undiagnosed infection, to address the health needs of people living with HIV and to effectively coordinate services across the health, social care and voluntary sectors.

HIV Action Plan [PDF - 449kB]

The HIV Action Plan has three key priorities:

• Integrate HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment and care.
• Reduce HIV transmission and undiagnosed HIV through social marketing, education, service provision and guidance.
• Improve performance management and accountability.

The Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework 2011-2015

The Scottish Government’s newly released Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework, brings together the policy areas of HIV, sexual health, hepatitis C and hepatitis B under one strategic framework, reflecting existing and increasing cross agenda working on these topics at both local and national level. The will provide a backdrop to the HIV Action Plan.

Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework [PDF - 4MB]

The framework uses 5 high level outcomes to direct work for the statutory and voluntary sectors. There are a range of distinct issues (e.g. unintended pregnancies) as well as common strands which address equality and cultural issues:

• Outcome 1: Fewer newly acquired blood borne virus and sexually transmitted infections; fewer unintended pregnancies.
  
• Outcome 2: A reduction in the health inequalities gap in sexual health and blood borne viruses.
  
• Outcome 3: People affected by blood borne viruses lead longer, healthier lives.
  
• Outcome 4. Sexual relationships are free from coercion and harm.
  
• Outcome 5: A society where the attitudes of individuals, the public, professionals and the media in Scotland towards sexual health and blood borne viruses are positive, non-stigmatising and supportive.

This should avoid duplication of resources and opportunities for collaboration by bringing together responses across health boards, voluntary sector and local authority. HIV Scotland are working with agencies to facilitate this process.

Why are Scotland's HIV policies successful?

Measurable results follow policy initiatives in Scotland because of a combination of factors:

• leadership at governmental level with cross-party support has been high level and consistent
• collaboration between all sectors and agencies
• strong strategic drivers in the HIV Action Plan and Respect and Responsibility
• pragmatic and evidence-based approaches
• expertise, knowledge and skills on the part of those planning and delivering services

Scotland: a world leader in HIV policy

Scotland makes a major contribution to the development of new approaches to HIV and sexual health. Examples of successful Scottish policy can be seen in:

How policy drives change

• it provides a framework and allows for goals and desired outcomes to be set
• specific actions can make a difference by reducing HIV transmission and ensuring better levels of treatment, diagnosis and prevention
• it provides a common reference point among partner organisations and it supports the strategic development of HIV work across Scotland
• ensuring a minimum set of standards
• it outlines the rights and responsibilities of stakeholders
• effective HIV policy needs to be founded on an understanding of the potential impact of HIV
• it can minimise the impact of HIV not only on the health of individuals but on families, friends, communities health services and the economy

Other policy areas relevant to HIV

HIV policy does not sit in isolation from other policy areas. In addition to the HIV Action Plan, other relevant policy includes:

• Sexual Health
• Hepatitis C
• Healthcare Quality
• Drugs
• Equalities