Draft HIV action plan for Wales 2022 to 2026

Our Programme for Government sets out ambitious commitments to both develop an HIV Action Plan for Wales and tackle the stigma experienced by those living with HIV. The guiding principles underpinning this draft 3-year Action Plan 2023-26, are that no-one should be left behind, that inclusivity and diversity should be encouraged and celebrated, and that all the communities we serve should be an integral part of the dialogue, debate and decision making on HIV going forward.

We recognise the importance of partnership working to achieve our commitments. This Action Plan was developed by an HIV Action Plan Working Group established by Welsh Government and supported by three task-and-finish groups who focused on: stigma; peer support and living well with HIV; and PrEP and prevention. 

Membership of these groups came from a broad range of organisations including people living with HIV, all with considerable expertise. We have also worked closely with colleagues across Welsh Government, in particular LGBTQ+ policy leads who are developing an LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales. Members considered current evidence and good practice and its relevance to Wales, and have put forward 26 actions to help meet our 2030 elimination commitment and to tackle HIV-related stigma.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks. We welcome the views of people living with HIV, stakeholders and the wider public and want to hear your feedback. We will reflect on the responses to the consultation to refine a final version of the Plan, and aim to publish the final plan later in 2022.

The HIV Action Plan for Wales contains clear priorities and targeted actions that relate to these priorities and this consultation will help us get feedback on whether these are the correct priorities and actions to focus on, to achieve our aims.

We have set a number of questions for your consideration, however we also welcome responses in a format that’s acceptable to you, including video clips or writing your thoughts in the language you feel more comfortable writing in.

Respondents are reminded that the right to freedom of expression is a qualified right and there are specific offences in relation to hate crime created by, for example, the Public Order Act 1986 and the Malicious Communications Act 1988. The Equality and Human Rights Commission have produced guidance on issues relating to freedom of expression and where this may be restricted. Please ensure that any response you make to the consultation is lawful.

Please use the following questions as the basis of your response. You are welcome to add additional comments or information if you wish.

1. Do you agree with the five overarching actions identified within this plan? Are there other overarching actions that should be included?
2. Do you agree with the proposed list of actions? Are there any that you would add or remove from the 26 currently identified?
3. What are the challenges that could mean the commitment to eliminating HIV transmission by 2030 are not met? Are there any clear challenges relating to any specific actions you feel should be highlighted?
4. Are there any resources (this could include funding, staff time, training, access to support or services among other things) that are not referred to in our Plan, but will be necessary in achieving the aims and actions detailed within this Plan?
5. We have asked a number of specific questions. If you have any related issues which we have not specifically addressed, please use this space to report them.

Submit your comments by 14 September 2022, in any of the following ways:

complete our online form

download, complete our response form and email healthprotection@gov.wales

download, complete our response form and post to:

Health & Social Services Group
4^th Floor East Core
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

Under the data protection legislation, you have the right:

• to be informed of the personal data held about you and to access it
• to require us to rectify inaccuracies in that data
• to (in certain circumstances) object to or restrict processing
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• to (in certain circumstances) data portability
• to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) who is our independent regulator for data protection.

Responses to consultations are likely to be made public, on the internet or in a report. If you would prefer your response to remain anonymous, please tell us. 

For further details about the information the Welsh Government holds and its use, or if you want to exercise your rights under the GDPR, please see contact details below:

Data Protection Officer

Data Protection Officer
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

E-mail: data.protectionofficer@gov.wales

Information Commissioner’s Office

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625 545 745 or 0303 123 1113

Website: ico.org.uk

UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)

The Welsh Government will be data controller for any personal data you provide as part of your response to the consultation. Welsh Ministers have statutory powers they will rely on to process this personal data which will enable them to make informed decisions about how they exercise their public functions. Any response you send us will be seen in full by Welsh Government staff dealing with the issues which this consultation is about or planning future consultations. Where the Welsh Government undertakes further analysis of consultation responses then this work may be commissioned to be carried out by an accredited third party (e.g. a research organisation or a consultancy company). Any such work will only be undertaken under contract. Welsh Government’s standard terms and conditions for such contracts set out strict requirements for the processing and safekeeping of personal data. In order to show that the consultation was carried out properly, the Welsh Government intends to publish a summary of the responses to this document. We may also publish responses in full. Normally, the name and address (or part of the address) of the person or organisation who sent the response are published with the response. If you do not want your name or address published, please tell us this in writing when you send your response. We will then redact them before publishing.

You should also be aware of our responsibilities under Freedom of Information legislation. If your details are published as part of the consultation response then these published reports will be retained indefinitely. Any of your data held otherwise by Welsh Government will be kept for no more than three years.

You can view this document in alternative languages. If you need it in a different format, please contact us.