To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of mental health support for those newly diagnosed as HIV positive.
Answered on
8 June 2023
No assessment has been made. Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision of mental health services and whether they are adequate to meet the mental health needs of people newly diagnosed as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive in their local populations.
We are committed to improving the quality of life for people living with HIV. As part of the Government’s HIV Action Plan, we have established a Workforce Task and Finish group which will explore innovative ways for the workforce to provide better support to people of all ages in care, including mental health support.
The NHS England Roadmap identifies specialised HIV inpatient and outpatient services as key areas for greater leadership by NHS England and ICBs, which will allow local systems to simplify and strengthen HIV care pathways with other services, including psychosocial support and mental health services through effective local partnerships, for a more holistic approach to care.
We are also expanding and transforming NHS mental health services in England, backed by additional funding of £2.3 billion a year by March 2024. This will allow an extra two million people, including people newly diagnosed as HIV positive, to get the mental health support that they need.