Following a change in the law which means that it is now legal for people to home-test for HIV, Rebecca Evans AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, has called for a statement from the Welsh Government on how it will ensure that people diagnosing themselves as HIV positive receive appropriate professional advice and support.
The Terrence Higgins Trust HIV charity has said that it expects that tests could be introduced into the UK later this year or in early 2015.
Mrs Evans raised the issue during the Assembly’s weekly business statement in the Senedd.
Mrs Evans said: “There are around 25,000 undiagnosed HIV-positive people in the UK. I am hopeful that this new method of testing will increase diagnosis and lead to more people accessing vital early treatment.
“The change in the law will make a big difference to people seeking to find out whether or not they have contracted HIV by offering them more choice. Diagnosing at home may be a more comfortable option for people who do not want a face-to-face diagnosis. Home-testing will not be for everyone, though, so it is important that existing services are also maintained.
“However a person finds out they are HIV positive, it is important that they are able to quickly access NHS services including counselling, medication, information and advice. I am seeking assurances from the Welsh Government that they will ensure that people who choose to test at home get all the help and support that they need at what can be a very difficult time.”
Responding to Mrs Evans, Minister Lesley Griffiths said:
“I think that is a very important point. As you say, the law changed on 6 April 2014, and that does make self-testing kits available. I do think it will increase options for people in the way they are tested. We know that there are possibly up to about 25,000 people who live in the UK with HIV and are undiagnosed. I think it is important to recognise that the self-test kit will not replace clinic-based testing. I think that it is also important to note that a self-test result that is reactive—that is, positive—does not mean that a person definitely has HIV.
Adding:
“The guidance and information following such a self-test result is that they should then have a clinical test performed so that they can know what the outcome is.”
Mrs Evans added:
“When the home testing kits do become available in the UK, people should only buy from a trusted source, and should check for the CE mark which means it will have been assessed for quality and safety.”
