Following a recent campaign led by NAT (National AIDS Trust) to protect funding for social care services in England for people living with HIV, the Government has committed in the recent Spending Review to take account of HIV social care needs within the overall local authority grant over the next five years.  Furthermore, funding linked to ‘AIDS Support’ will increase from £25.5 million in this year to £36.2 million by 2014/15.

The campaign, which took place over the last few months, involved rallying organisations from across the country to write to the Government and highlight the importance of retaining this funding as an identifiable amount within local authority budgets.

Following the Spending Review, all specific grants – including the AIDS Support Grant which previously provided funding for HIV social care – will be rolled into the Formula Grant.*  However, there should continue to be identifiable allocations relating to HIV social care within the Formula Grant distributed to local authorities.

Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT, says:

‘NAT is extremely pleased to see a commitment from the Government to increase funding for HIV social care following our recent campaign.  This commitment shows an acknowledgment of the importance of funding these services, and recognition that the rising numbers and ageing population of people living with HIV will result in both continuing and increasing social care needs within this group.

‘However, we do remain concerned that with the removal of the ring-fence around this funding and the increased emphasis on local flexibility, there is a risk that HIV social care funds could be spent elsewhere.  NAT encourages all local authorities to ensure the needs of people living with HIV in every area are met, and this means using the funding committed to HIV social care to provide the services necessary.’

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Notes to the editor:

*Further information can be found within a letter on Local Government and the Spending Review from The Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/1745945.pdf

http://www.nat.org.uk/News-and-Media/Press-Releases/2010/November/Social...

Based upon the DOH circular http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Lo... which shows the amounts awarded for 2010/11, I have used these figures and have increased the projected estimate award by 16% based upon the new guidance from the local communities grant. The number of people accessing HIV care is that of the HPA figures for London of 28,285 (2009)

The extrapilated figures shows and would require an input of an estimated £635,000 in total to be found to address a  pan London approach to HIV services if such a course of action was to be taken to meet current levels of service. By acculamating the awards in London and meeting the 2010/11 costs of services could be a way forwarded?

Like that of the LSCG, London HIV services and provision could be administired by one provider these costs would have to be found or met from the London awards and added into the calculations. Instead of the 32 seperate local authorities and the City of London, this could safe guard the resources, outside control, empower ourselves and truly address the needs of those living with HIV/AIDS directly accross London. As it is the idea of HM Government through the localism bill to seek such a response to deal with community issues and lives, this I submit to the HIV/AIDS community to be given full consideration, thought and response.

Also given the further possible surplus of the PCT, this would add to the support and needs of those living with HIV/AIDS. As stated and advised the HPA suggest some 28,285 people within London access HIV care, 40% of which will be women and children and 60% men.

Thank you.