Liverpool is celebrating significant progress in its mission to end new HIV transmissions by 2030, as new data from 2024 reveals a surge in testing, increased uptake of HIV prevention medication PrEP, and a dramatic reduction in late diagnoses.
As part of the city’s commitment to the global Fast Track Cities initiative, Liverpool has seen:
- A 7.5% increase in HIV testing volume, thanks to expanded access via sexual health clinics and innovative opt-out testing in A&E departments
- A growing number of people starting or continuing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication that prevents HIV infection.
- A significant drop in late HIV diagnoses, falling from 57% three years ago to just 36% in 2024 — a clear sign that more people are being diagnosed earlier and accessing life-saving treatment.
This excellent data comes at the same time as a landmark development that could see even more people access HIV PrEP. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recently endorsed cabotegravir, the UK’s first long-acting injectable PrEP. This breakthrough treatment will be available via NHS sexual health services, offering a vital alternative for people who cannot take daily oral tablets.
Axess Sexual Health, Liverpool’s NHS sexual health provider, has confirmed it will begin offering injectable PrEP immediately, making Liverpool one of the first cities in the UK to roll out this transformative technology.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing, said: “We warmly welcome the introduction of injectable HIV PrEP technology. This is a vital addition to our prevention toolkit that has the potential to transform how people protect themselves against HIV. We’ve made great progress improving testing and PrEP access in Liverpool, and this will help us reach even more people.”
Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health, said: “This is excellent news for Liverpool. Fewer people are being diagnosed late, which means better health outcomes and reduced transmission. We have made great strides in improving testing and PrEP access in the city, and the announcement of new PrEP technologies like this, which Liverpool clinics have been piloting, will help us go further and faster.”
“There is still a lot more work to be done though. Our Fast Track Partnership has ambitious plans and actions to help ensure we end all new HIV transmissions by 2030.”
Dr Martyn Wood, Clinical Director at Axess Sexual Health, added: “We’re really pleased with Liverpool’s latest HIV data, which reflects the growing accessibility of testing and support across the city. It is encouraging to see increasing numbers of people engaging with PrEP too, and we’re especially excited about the role that digital PrEP pathways and new injectable technologies can play. This is a vital tool in ensuring even more residents can benefit from this preventative option.”
Liverpool’s leadership in HIV prevention continues to be recognised nationally and internationally, with innovative programmes like PrEP Express, expanded testing in emergency departments, and targeted outreach to under-served communities.
For more information on accessing PrEP or HIV testing in Liverpool, visit https://www.axess.clinic/.
For more around HIV, PrEP and testing – contact Liverpool PaSH, visit https://www.lpash.org.uk/.
