That the Parliament acknowledges that HIV Testing Week Scotland will take place between 18 and 25 November 2016 as part of the wider European Testing Week; recognises that there are an estimated 6,150 people living with HIV in Scotland, one in six of whom are unaware of their infection; notes that everyone in Scotland has an HIV status and that increasing awareness of, and access to, HIV testing plays a key role in reducing future HIV infections and putting people in control of their status; believes that HIV testing should form a routine part of care within areas of Scotland with a high HIV prevalence and for those most at risk of HIV, including gay and bisexual men, all men who have sex with men, and people from Africa now living in Scotland; further believes that ending HIV-related stigma will result in more people being tested, and for people living with HIV to be better supported to lead healthy and fulfilling lives; commends the work of HIV Scotland, Positive Help, SX, Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland and Waverley Care in coordinating the campaign in partnership with NHS boards, and wishes the campaign every success in its efforts to engage with communities across Scotland.
Ruth Maguire MSP 