News & Views

For the first time, an HIV prevention injection will be offered on the NHS in London, marking an important milestone in the UK’s ambition to end new HIV cases by 2030.

It’s the time of year for pumpkin spice lattes and the release of new HIV data, providing us with an opportunity to reflect on our progress, to celebrate what’s worked and to acknowledge the areas in which we need to do better. This year’s figures for London are striking we have cause for optimism but as the nature of the challenge evolves so must our approach.

I have worked in Sexual and Reproductive Health in London as a Consultant since 1994 and for many years have raised the same concern: we do not talk enough about contraception. Abortion rates in London remain high and are rising, yet opportunities to promote and improve access to contraception are often missed.

Sexual Health Testing Week takes place from 15th – 21st September this year, coinciding with the start of the new academic year and Freshers Week at many universities across the UK. It’s the perfect moment to highlight how quick, easy and important it is to test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

I’ve always been drawn to innovation, especially in digital health. Throughout my career, I’ve pushed to modernise services, which is why I got involved with the London Sexual Health Programme..

Today, we're not just marking a shift in clinical practice, we're recognising a moment of progress in the fight against sexually transmitted infections.

The introduction of DoxyPEP (doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis) into UK sexual health services supported by national guidelines from BASHH represents a genuine leap forward. For many people, this new option offers more than just medical prevention of an infection, it means we can genuinely move from services being focussed on diagnosis and treatment, to prevention.

In London, residents can access sexual health services from any borough, a valuable model of open access. But behind the scenes, this freedom of choice creates costly cross-charging between boroughs, especially when people visit clinics outside their area for routine, asymptomatic testing.

What if you could order an STI test as easily as you check your dating apps?

That’s exactly what The Love Tank CIC, Grindr, and Sexual Health London (SHL) did, launching a pilot project using pop-up messages within Grindr to offer free postal STI test kits to users.

This year’s Pride in London was all about visibility—and Sexual Health London was right at the heart of the action. From the moment our giant inflatable SHL blimp floated into view, the crowd’s cheer was unmistakable. It was heartening to witness Londoners not only recognise SHL but celebrate it, too.

The UK Health Security Agency have recently released statistics on STI tests across London.  We asked our Lead Commissioner, Adrian Kelly, to look into the details and tell us what he thinks they tell us. 

At the heart of London’s Sexual Health Programme (LSHP) is a commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and better access for all. We sat down with Donnarie Goldson, the Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) Lead for the programme, to hear about the progress being made and the work still to be done.

Good sexual health isn’t just about preventing infections—it’s about healthy relationships, confidence, and knowing where to turn for support. Men can sometimes delay seeking care for symptoms or avoid regular check-ups, which can lead to missed opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment. Whether it’s a simple STI test or conversations about contraception, erectile dysfunction, or reproductive health, taking control of your sexual health is a vital step towards feeling better in your body and mind.