Ealing Town Hall will be lit red on Saturday, 1 December, demonstrating Ealing Council’s support for World AIDS Day.

Sexual Health, is an important part of keeping healthy overall. Incredible medical advances been made in the fight against HIV, and people living with HIV who are on effective treatment can now live long, healthy lives, and cannot pass on the virus. Early testing and treatment is key, as well as prevention.

But attitudes towards HIV haven’t kept up with medical advances. Stigma and discrimination still acts as a major barrier to people getting tested and onto treatment, and fuels discrimination against people living with HIV.

In the week before World AIDS Day there will be a number of local opportunities to get information and free HIV testing. These will be taking place at:

• Acton Library – 12noon-3pm, Tuesday 27 November
• Lido Centre, West Ealing – 5-8pm, Wednesday 28 November
• Acton Homeless Concern – 12noon-2pm, Friday 30 November
• West 5 Bar – 10pm-1am, Friday 30 November

These events will be delivered by Spectra, who are part of the Integrated Sexual Health Service across Outer Northwest London (Ealing, Harrow and Brent) led by London Northwest Healthcare Trust, who will be on hand carrying out free confidential HIV testing. They will also be distributing condoms and lubes, sexual health and wellbeing advice, and information about local support services.

Councillor Binda Rai, cabinet member for health and adults services said: “World Aids Day reminds us all that HIV has not gone away, there is still a need to increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. Although much more is understood about the condition, many do not always know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and living with HIV is a reality for many people.”

For more information on the national campaign run by HIV Prevention England, #itstartswithme, can be found at www.startswithme.org.uk

For information about local clinic times please see the London Northwest Healthcare Website: www.nwlondonsexualhealth.nhs.uk

For more information on the outreach sessions run by Spectra visit www.spectra-london.org.uk