Updated HIV figures for Southend-on-Sea show reduced figure

September 30, 2019 by Leigh-on-sea.com

Revised figures of newly diagnosed HIV cases for Southend-on-Sea have been released, placing the town well within the national average. 

Public Health England have published the new number of diagnoses is 14 rather than the previously reported 45. 

This is after Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Public Health team raised an urgent query over the figures, as it was not believed to be an accurate representation of how many people were newly diagnosed with HIV in Southend-on-Sea in 2018. 

Cllr Trevor Harp, cabinet member for health and adult social care said: “We knew from comparisons with our own internal data, that the figure was not an accurate reflection of what was happening locally. I am very pleased it has been investigated so that we can highlight this error and have it amended to the correct figure.

“We take the health and wellbeing of our residents very seriously and proactively work with our NHS colleagues and other partners to encourage self-care. This includes being aware of changes to your body which could be symptomatic.” 

Anyone with concerns about HIV or symptoms of other sexually transmitted infections can contact the Southend Sexual Health Clinic online or by calling the intelligence centre on 0300 303 2693 or their GP.

The Southend Sexual Health Clinic offers advice, medical appointments, online testing and urgent walk-in appointments for anyone with concerns for their sexual health or contraception.

The service was launched in April 2019 by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council in partnership with Provide, Southend University Hospital and the Terence Higgins Trust.