On November 25, 2009 Ms Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport launched The HIV Action Plan for Scotland. The plan, which contains specific actions for the Scottish Government, the territorial and special health boards and the voluntary sector to take, aims to reduce HIV transmission and levels of undiagnosed cases of HIV, to reduce stigma and discrimination and to ensure the effective co-ordination of prevention and of treatment and care.
The Scottish Government provides significant investment each year to prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses. As our epidemiology is constantly changing, we must ensure that our prevention efforts are targeted and evidence based to ensure that we have the best chance of reducing the transmission of HIV.
Reviewing the evidence and providing guidance on effective HIV prevention are a key action for the plan, which will not only require NHS boards to use their funding effectively but require the Scottish Government and NHS boards to work closely with their partners, including local authorities and the voluntary sector, to deliver the actions effectively.
Throughout the development of the plan, the stigma and discrimination faced by people who are infected and affected by HIV were of utmost concern. This along with all the elements of the HIV Action plan are built on by the 2011 Sexual Health and BBV Framework.