People with HIV should be given a larger role in policy formulation and treatment, a Government review says.
The Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV acknowledged huge strides had been made in the last 20 years, but claimed more could be done to provide for the changing needs of people with HIV.
Among the issues raised, the report explained that the introduction of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy meant people with Aids were living longer - a fact that posed potential financial problems for the NHS.
The report makes recommendations in six areas: achieving a national cross-governmental overview of HIV, addressing the needs of people living with HIV, improving prevention, testing and health improvement, a co-ordinated approach to evidence and dissemination to improve understanding, addressing stigma and discrimination and improving services.
Derek Bodell, the group's deputy chair, said the Government should take immediate action in improving prevention and testing, in implementing a co-ordinated awareness-raising campaign and in addressing the needs of HIV sufferers to head off this potential financial crisis.
"We have been successful in the past because there has been consistent planning, co-ordination, listening and a dialogue across all groups involved in the field. This now needs to be increased again in order to make a significant impact on England's current response to HIV," he said.
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