Andrew Gwynne – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2016-06-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) capacity of and (b) skills and knowledge of local mainstream advice and advocacy services in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham health authority area to be able to meet the support needs of local people living with HIV following implementation of the proposed reduction in specialist HIV support services.

Jane Ellison

Support services for people living with HIV are commissioned by local authorities.

We are advised by NHS England that the boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham are currently consulting on a new service model, under which advice and advocacy, counselling and assessment and signposting services for people living with HIV would be provided by local non-HIV specialist services.

We understand that the consultation exercise commenced on 9 May 2016 and is due to end on 28 June.