8/4/2019 Michael Matheson Letter on Funding for HIV Support
Services
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Ministear airson Siainte PoblachMinister for Public Health
Micheal Matheson SPA
Michael Matheson MSP
FIT:0845 7741741
E: [email protected]
Ms Kezia Dugdale MSPThe Scottish Parliament
EDINBURGH
EH991SP
Ur faidhlelYour ref:GC - 08/08/11Ar faidhle/Our ref:
2011/1014107
August 2011
Dear Kezia
The ScottishGovernment
Thank you for your letter of 8 August regarding funding for HIV
support services in Scotland.
I am replying on behalf of Ms Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister
and Cabinet Secretary for
Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy.
The Scottish Government recognises HIV as a major public health
challenge. HIV is one of
the four elements of the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus
Framework, an outcomesbased strategy, which will be published
shortly. The Framework sets out clear action for
addressing HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B infection and
improving sexual health and
wellbeing in Scotland. Prevention of new infection is a key
element of the framework, as is
reducing rates of undiagnosed infection and late diagnosis. As
part of the delivery of the
Framework, NHS Boards and their partners will be asked to
demonstrate effective,
partnership approaches to the prevention of HIV and support for
those living with, andaffected by HIV.
Scottish Government currently fund a number of Third Sector
agencies with a role in
supporting people living with HIV and in promoting the
prevention of HIV. Funding is
provided to Waverley Care, LGBT Youth Scotland and the National
AIDS Trust. Additionally,a small amount of funding is made
available annually to promote HIV awareness on World
AIDS Day. Officials will be meeting with third sector colleagues
shortly to consider
approaches for this year's event. Organisations also have access
to 16b Grant Funding iftheir bids have relevance nationally.
Scottish Government also fund HIV Scotland, the national
umbrella organisation for HIV
which provides a representative voice for the third sector,
advises on HIV policy and has anadvocacy role in representing
people living with HIV in Scotland.
Taigh Naomh Anndrais, Rathad Regent, Dun Eideann EH1 3DG
St Andrew's House. Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG
www.scotland.gov.uk
mailto:[email protected]://www.scotland.gov.uk/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/mailto:[email protected]
8/4/2019 Michael Matheson Letter on Funding for HIV Support
Services
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NHS Boards receive an annual allocation to support the
implementation of the Sexual Health
and Blood Borne Virus Framework, part of which includes funding
for the prevention of blood
borne viruses. NHS Boards use these monies for both statutory
and third sector services.
A number of other Third Sector organisations, such as THT and
Gay Men's Health. who
provide HIV support and prevention activities, are funded by NHS
Boards using this
allocation.
HIV epidemiology in Scotland shows that those most vulnerable to
HIV are men who havesex with men (MSM) and those from areas of high
prevalence, notably African countries.
Third Sector organisations in Scotland reflect this epidemiology
and provide support and
prevention initiatives to those most at risk.
As you will be aware, the risk of HIV transmission through
injecting drug use has fallen
significantly over recent years, however people who inject drugs
are at a high risk of
contracting hepatitis C. NHS Boards fund harm reduction
initiatives through both the
statutory and third sector, which helps to prevent transmission
of all infection in this
vulnerable group.
I hope you find this information helpful.
~ . \ - - ~'--.~:::::"
(l~~Michael Matheson
Taigh Naomh Anndrais, Rathad Regent, Dun Eideann EH13DG
St Andrew's House, Regent Road. Edinburgh EH1 3DG
www.scotland.gov.uk
(~)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/
