In October 2024, I visited Waverley Care’s headquarters in Firrhill, Edinburgh South West, and was deeply impressed by their work. Established in the 1980s, Waverley Care bravely opened the UK’s first purpose-built AIDS hospice, Milestone House, responding to the then-emerging HIV/AIDS epidemic in Edinburgh.

Milestone House faced initial opposition, reflecting the fear and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS at the time. I heard first hand accounts of this, including from a former Firhill High pupil who recalled school visits and the subsequent backlash against the hospice. Even a brief work experience opportunity was cut short due to sensationalized and inaccurate reporting.

We must acknowledge the courage of individuals like former Councillor John Allan, who welcomed the hospice to the Oxgangs Ward despite the resistance.

The turning point came with Princess Diana’s visit. Her simple act of sharing tea with a visibly ill young woman sent a clear signal – the patients faced death, but they were still people worthy of our respect.

Since then remarkable medical advances have transformed HIV/AIDS from a death sentence to a manageable condition. As one former Waverley Care fundraising head told me, the introduction of new treatments dramatically reduced mortality rates. As treatments became available, he said:

“The effect was pretty immediate. We went from having 2-4 deaths a month to one every three or four months in the space of a year. Then down to effectively none. The psychological impact on people was huge. It’s also down to early detection. Get tested and get on treatment.”

However, the fight is far from over. Shamefully, HIV testing in Scotland has decreased by 19% since 2019, while new diagnoses are on the rise. Scotland lags behind England, lacking a dedicated HIV Testing Week and opt-out testing in high-risk urban centres.

Waverley Care rightly highlights that while the LGBT community has strong awareness, heterosexual transmission is now the most common route, often due to lower testing rates. This is why a dedicated HIV Testing Week and opt-out testing are so important.

Waverley Care, in partnership with THT, is leading the charge for opt-out testing and a National HIV Testing Week in Scotland. These measures have proven effective in England and Wales, increasing accessibility and reducing stigma. Furthermore, ensuring access to PrEP is crucial, particularly for marginalized people like the trans community, who may face additional barriers to care.

Waverley Care’s work is essential to achieving Scotland’s goal of ending HIV transmission by 2030. I urge the Scottish government to heed their call for a National HIV Testing Week and implement opt-out testing.

We must act now to build on the progress made and ensure that everyone has access to the testing, treatment, and support they need.

Having read the statement from Waverly Care and THT, I cannot see how Scotland can meet its target to end HIV transmission by 2030, and that will only make the job of the UK Government harder.