Merseyside town to become HIV 'Fast Track City' as infections increase by 140%

"Fast Track City" initiative focuses on increased HIV testing, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention while reducing stigma
-Credit: (Image: Cathal McNaughton/PA Wire)


Knowsley hopes to join the internationally recognised HIV 'Fast Track City' (FTC) scheme as figures show a 140% increase in reported HIV cases in the borough since 2012. The FTC initiative is a global partnership between cities and municipalities around the world which aims to establish a series of accepted commitments to reduce new HIV infections and AIDS-related death to zero by 2030.

Knowsley Council will meet on Thursday October 3 for a cabinet meeting to review a series of reports and councillors will be asked to approve the proposal for Knowsley to join the FTC project by signing the Paris and Seville Fast-Track City Declarations.

The Fast-Track Cities initiative is a global partnership between cities and municipalities around the world which aims to establish a series of accepted commitments to reduce new HIV infections and AIDS-related death to zero by 2030. The project also hopes to eliminate HIV-related stigma in healthcare settings and will assess the quality of life among communities of people living with HIV. Both of these projects will include access to a digital monitoring system to allows officials to report on their progress.

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By joining the FTC initiative, Knowsley Council would commit to increasing efforts related to HIV testing, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention while reducing HIV-related stigma. This work would take place alongside key partner agencies such as the NHS. The council report believes the FTC proposal aligns with wider sexual health strategies in the borough and will produce healthcare benefits, such as improved local coordination in services and also open up access to additional funding.

The report will be presented by the Assistant Executive Director of Public Health, Sarah McNulty and includes details behind the council's rationale to join the FTC project. According to the report, 120 Knowsley residents were diagnosed with HIV in 2022, with a prevalence rate of 1.34 cases per 1,000 residents aged 15-59. These figures represent a 140% increase in reported HIV cases between 2012 and 2022 and is comparable to the national and North West regional levels.

Furthermore, there has also been an 11.7% increase in the HIV prevalence rate in the last 12 months and between 2020 and 2022, 42.9% of all Knowsley residents diagnosed with HIV had a “late-stage” diagnosis - also comparable to North West region and national levels. One notable caveat to the increase in reported incidences is the impact of increased awareness, testing, and case identification.

Knowsley Council hopes the FTC initiative will benefit all Knowsley residents, with particular emphasis on high-risk groups and believes it will help to improve access to HIV testing and prevention services.
The initiative also aims to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations, including children, vulnerable adults, and minority ethnic groups.

Additionally, although there is no guaranteed new funding which will arise from joining the FTC, the local authority believes their participation could potentially lead to cost savings by reducing new HIV infections and associated healthcare costs for the NHS and local services.