Stakeholder Engagement Report - London Councils

5. Summary of Conclusions
There are challenges ahead for HIV prevention- both in terms of evidence of effectiveness
and appropriate targeting. Against a backdrop of diminishing public sector funding,
increasing HIV prevalence and new incidence, Local Authorities will need to “up the ante”
re HIV prevention.
Stakeholders believe that political will is required to ensure that this work is neither
undermined nor under resourced.
This stakeholder engagement process has identified numerous variables that will impact
on the effectiveness of HIV prevention strategies in the future.
This stakeholder engagement process has identified a number of key issues and
suggested approaches that are discussed in detail in each section of the report.
Stakeholders proposed three clear areas of need that should be incorporated into any
future model of London HIV prevention work. These were as follows:
• Both local and London wide approaches should be underpinned by a
clear commissioning strategy that acknowledges the variations across
boroughs. This could include some cluster arrangements.
• Centralised condom procurement for locally determined
distribution (including C- Card schemes)
• Recognition and use of new technologies to communicate HIV
prevention messages with a co- ordinated and consistent approach
to the development of online social media and mass media
Public Health England (PHE, DH 2013) has agreed to provide specific support to
commissioners of HIV and sexual health services. This includes:
• Provision of evidence-based advice on how to
improve HIV and sexual health services
• Practical help in local areas to
• Embed activity designed to reduce health inequalities
• Develop plans to monitor outcomes and assess quality assurance
• Improve the capacity and capability of the HIV and sexual workforce
• Facilitation of collaborative commissioning in local areas
by helping to set up professional networks
• Development of commissioning tools such as service
specifications and standard contracts
• Provision of costing and other tools to help to provide
effective and cost efficient services and interventions
• Commissioning of national level social marketing and behaviour change
campaigns in order to link locally provided behaviour change work
on improving sexual health with the broader national level work
DsPH are now bedding in to their new arrangements within Local Authorities and, as
such, will be drawing on the skills and competencies within PHE to assist in their new
roles within local government.
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