Stakeholder Engagement Report - London Councils

Many stakeholders are frustrated by the lack of a co-ordinated response to HIV
prevention, despite the evidence of effectiveness and need. ‘Unprotected Nation’, a
report from Brook and FPA (published 2013), was cited by some stakeholders. It models
how sexual health promotion and service cuts and restrictions will lead to a significant
rise in STIs, HIV, and unintended pregnancies across all ages. In turn it results in a
significant amount of human misery, and with the potential onward costs that will impact
on local government services caused by increasing STIs HIV and teenage pregnancies.
There was concern that this evidence would be ignored.
Suggested approaches
Mass and social media
Whilst stakeholders recognised that they could not make recommendations on any
individual organisations they deemed suitable for funding allocations, there was a desire
to influence the menu of interventions and activities required. In addition, many wanted
to see an experienced web based provider able to ‘upscale’ population-based access to
campaigns relevant to target groups. Information and advice on service provision needs
to be targeted at everyone.
Pop ups on gay websites and increased use of apps for smartphones were highly
recommended as a cost effective media campaign, and stakeholders suggested they
would have far better impact. However, the cost of advertising would make it prohibitive
for one borough to consider alone, so a joint approach was favoured.
There was a view that there could be a London-wide branded HIV prevention programme,
with localised delivery, similar to the way in which the NHS Health Checks programme is
delivered. NHS Health Checks, is commissioned by local government, but has national
branding, key messages, delivery standards, and outcomes and is supported via a
central website. A London wide HIV campaign would see all boroughs agreeing on the
key messages to be delivered at the same time with the methodology for delivering the
messages targeted to local needs.
Condoms
The availability of condoms and the promotion of their use was seen as an essential HIV
prevention intervention. Better value for money could be achieved by using one centralised
purchasing system for condoms, increasing all the councils’ purchasing power.
It was felt that businesses (where sex on premises is known to occur) needed to make
a bigger contribution with the provision of free condoms being made a requirement of
their license agreements. The Freedoms shop should be publicised on all sexual health
service and HIV prevention materials with the aim of making low cost condoms available
to all resulting in decreasing pressure and reliance on free condom schemes. Also, some
consideration should be given to developing a C-Card scheme for adults across London.
Health Education and HIV Prevention in Schools
(including SRE)
Councils have an opportunity to ensure that their PHSE programmes inform and educate
young people about good sexual health, to prepare them for life in a city with high HIV
prevalence. In addition to provision in schools there is an opportunity through youth
work informing particular provision for young gay men.
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