Health policy

THT works closely with NHS policy bodies such as the Healthcare Commission, the NHS Confederation and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to make sure that national health policy includes HIV and sexual health.

We also work collaboratively with sister organisations in sexual health and disabilities, including the British Association for Sexual Health & HIV (BASHH), the British HIV Association (BHIVA), the Sexual Health Organisations Group (SHOG) and the New Spirit Coalition of disability organisations.

Redesigning services

THT is particularly concerned about the worsening sexual health in the UK, and believes that there is a case for sexual health services to be redesigned. You can read more about Department of Health targets, investment and our responses on the page about Redesigning services in this section.

Blood donations

The National Blood Service have restrictions preventing those at high risk of HIV from donating their blood. You can find out why we support their stance here.

Home Testing Kits

THT believes people should have the choice to test for HIV safely and securely in their own home if that's what they want. More than one in four people with HIV do not know they have it. We know that some people currently find it too inconvenient to get tested regularly. Increasing testing options will help to reduce undiagnosed HIV and tackle the HIV epidemic.

Home testing kits for HIV are illegal in the UK. However, they can easily be bought over the Internet from overseas.  These illegal kits often carry little or no information and are unreliable. That's why we are working with government to explore the viability of legalising and regulating home testing kits.

Read our full policy briefing on the case for legalising and regulating HIV home testing kits.

Summary Care Records

The Summary Care Record is likely to be part of your patient care record in the future.  Initially, it will contain information about you, your current medications, allergies and adverse reactions. This will be uploaded on to a ‘national data spine’ from the patient care record held by your GP. Over time, all patient records will be held electronically.

The Summary Care Record is being created as part of the National Programme for IT (Information Technology) in the NHS in England. It will not affect people living in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, where different systems are being used

There has been a lot of debate on three main areas of concern – consent, content and confidentiality.  THT has been actively involved in these debates, aiming to maximise the potential benefits for people with HIV and minimise the potential risks. Download our Summary Care Records Briefing Paper for more information.