General practitioners in England are falling short in providing adequate care for Black people living with HIV, a leading charity has warned.
A new report highlights the role of stigma and lack of information among GPs as major factors contributing to poor experiences and health outcomes.
The study, conducted by National AIDS Trust, surveyed 142 Black people with HIV in London. It found that nearly one in five respondents avoided visiting their GP due to fear of being treated differently because of their HIV status.
A similar proportion reported receiving judgmental or inappropriate comments from GPs. In addition, 35 percent said they worried about facing discrimination from GP staff.
Several participants shared their experiences of discrimination. Some described being questioned inappropriately about how they contracted HIV, while others reported rudeness from GPs upon learning of their pregnancies.
One individual recounted that their GP would put on gloves and open a window before conducting an examination.
The findings show that 13 percent of respondents were refused medical procedures or medication, and 30 percent said they had never been consulted about their medical care or treatment plans.
The report comes at a crucial time, as the government has pledged to achieve zero new HIV transmissions by 2030. Black communities are disproportionately affected by HIV, making up only 4.2 percent of England’s population but accounting for 48 percent of new HIV diagnoses in 2023.
According to the report, factors such as heavy GP workloads, lack of cultural competence, and insufficient HIV-related training are key contributors to the disparities seen in care.
The National AIDS Trust stressed that the healthcare system must better adapt to the diverse needs of people living with HIV. The charity called for action from the government and the NHS to tackle stigma, improve cultural competency, ensure confidentiality, and make primary care more accessible to everyone.
The report recommends that primary care across London and England implement changes to guarantee that quality care is consistent and not determined by location.
NHS leaders have acknowledged the serious concerns raised, reaffirming their commitment to reducing racial disparities and delivering personalised and equitable healthcare for all patients.
