Success of Physician-Led HIV Care Pilot Boosts Testing and Treatment in London

A recent evaluation of the London HIV GP Champions Pilot Project highlights significant improvements in HIV testing and management within primary care. The initiative involved deploying 16 specially appointed GP Champions across London to drive innovations in HIV care, aiming to enhance patient outcomes and reduce stigma. An independent report from King's Business School at King's College London revealed that the project led to a 29% increase in HIV testing in South West London alone, with similar positive trends across other boroughs.

Furthermore, the pilot saw a notable rise in statin prescriptions for HIV-positive individuals over 40, aligning with current clinical guidelines. Over 2,000 primary care professionals participated in stigma-reduction training, fostering a more accepting environment for patients. The initiative also strengthened collaboration between general practitioners and HIV specialists, resulting in more coordinated and comprehensive care. The HIV Confident Charter was adopted by numerous practices, reflecting a committed effort to combat HIV stigma.

Experts from King's College London recommend extending the funding and resources allocated to this model. They suggest integrating HIV management more closely with long-term condition frameworks within the NHS, developing shared performance metrics, and reframing HIV as a chronic condition for better care integration.

This study, grounded in implementation science, involved interviews with key stakeholders, including GP Champions and HIV consultants, across London's health system. The findings provide strong evidence supporting continued investment in GP-led HIV care models, emphasizing distributed leadership, clinical collaboration, and local ownership as key drivers of success.

For more details, the full report is available here. This project underscores the vital role of primary care in managing HIV effectively and reducing disparities in healthcare access and quality.