Having worked alongside the National Health Service for a number of years, I understand the urgency of funding medical research into preventing serious illnesses. Being a member of the APPG for HIV and Aids means that I devote particular attention to issues in this area, and understand that medical advances are of paramount importance in the ongoing battle against HIV and Aids.
A number of constituents have expressed their concern over the fact that NHS England does not now consider PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophyaxis) suitable for prioritisation of specialised commissioning spend, as it is a preventative measure. However, given the potential benefits in this area, NHS England is keen to build on the excellent work to date and will be releasing up to £2m over the next two years in order to run a number of early implementer test sites. These will be undertaken in conjunction with PHE and will explore the ways in which PrEP could be commissioned in an integrated and cost-effective manner, and effectively utilised to reduce HIV and sexually transmitted infections in those at highest risk.
NHS England and PHE will launch a process to seek expressions of interest for the test sites from local authority areas, with a view to confirming successful applications by June 2016. These will run over the next two years and will aim to test the 'real life' cost effectiveness and affordability of PrEP as part of an integrated HIV and STI prevention service. I have written to the BANES CCG to see if they are participating in this process.
I will be meeting with other parliamentary colleagues, clinicians and key stakeholders on this subject later this month.