Newham health professionals get HIV tested to promote early screenings awareness
Left to right: Newham GP and clinical lead for HIV Dr James Stevenson, Cllr Clive Furness, Director of partnerships and governance Satbinder Sanghera. - Credit: Newham CCG
GPs and health professionals were joined by a Newham councillor for a workplace HIV screening session to raise awareness of early testing.
Dr James Stevenson, Newham GP and clinical lead for HIV, having a point of care HIV test undertaken by local charity Positive East - Credit: Newham CCG
Dr James Stevenson, clinical lead for HIV for Newham CCG, was one of 28 people screened to mark the launch of a year-long programme aimed at increasing screening rates in Newham and tackling the disease’s stigma.
HIV prevalance in the borough is high and 40 per cent of diagnoses are classified as ‘late’, meaning those patients are more likely to have a severely damaged immune system.
People diagnosed late are 10 times more likely to die within a year of diagnosis.
Dr Stevenson said: “We know that screening and testing early is key to supporting patients to manage HIV as a long-term condition.
You may also want to watch:
“In Newham we want to ensure we don’t miss opportunities to test for HIV when patients arrive at the surgery with tell-tale signs.
“As well as supporting the NHS to manage demand and the impact of late diagnosis on services, screening also helps prevent the spread of HIV.”
Most Read
- 1 Roof destroyed by fire in Upton Park
- 2 Guilty: Who was jailed across east London in July?
- 3 Tyrese Omotoye impresses on O's trial as Ouss Cisse looks set to depart
- 4 New developments given the green light in Newham so far this year
- 5 Jailed: 'Violent' Beckton man who threatened to chop off ex-partner's head
- 6 Forest Gate flats bid gets green light despite neighbours' objections
- 7 Steward admits lanyard theft ahead of Euro 2020 final
- 8 Woodford Green and Forest Gate residents criticise councils over flooding
- 9 Lanzini enjoying deeper role for West Ham in pre-season
- 10 Next court date for drink driving accused after Beckton collision
Cllr Furness added: “This screening session provided a valuable opportunity to find out more about HIV in the borough and the importance of screening before people have further voluntary tests.
“This approach will enable us to detect newly infected people and reduce transmission to others.”
