THOUSANDS of people have either been missed or have declined HIV screenings across Cumbria.

The HIV Commission have commissioned a report that highlights over half a million people across England missed out on a test in last year.

The organisation calls for everyone who takes a blood test in the NHS to be offered HIV screening.

Public Health England figures show 9,120 people had the opportunity to be tested for HIV at specialist sexual health clinics in Cumbria in 2019.

However, 2,616 people did not receive one.

Testing rates have fallen from 71.5% in 2018 to 71.3% in 2019.

Half of those missed opportunities were either not offered a test or declined the offer.

The HIV Commission's report, released in time for World Aids Day on December 1, said screening all blood for HIV, regardless of a patient's gender, ethnicity, or sexuality, could help eliminate new cases by 2030.

It said that it is vital testing becomes standard practice when registering for a GP, at cervical screenings, in pharmacies and in accident and emergency departments.

Dame Inga Beale, chairwoman of the commission, said: “Zero new HIV cases in England by 2030 isn’t a pipedream or social media-friendly date plucked from the air – it’s 100% achievable.

“Our vision for 2030 is a realistic one.

"It will require a significant increase in funding to enable the much-needed step change in HIV testing across our healthcare systems but will save our NHS money in the long run.”

Speaking in the House of Commons, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said tackling the coronavirus pandemic must not get in the way of ending new HIV transmissions across all groups in England by 2030.

He said: "It is absolutely critical that we don’t let up because we can’t let one virus undo the progress that we’re making in fighting another.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman added that the report will help develop the new Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy.