Thursday, February 09, 2012

London HIV prevention 'failing'


Charities have criticised the way HIV services in London are commissioned following the release of a report which highlights "significant management failings".

HIV treatment in London costs £247m per year, according to NHS London, with almost 30,000 people accessing care and that number rising by 5% annually.

But the new report says there is a "lack of strategy" and an "urgent need" to address HIV prevention in London.

Charities responded to these alarming findings in my BBC News article.

Calls to protect gay strip night


For the East End's gay community, the White Swan pub is something of a local legend.

Comedian Michael Barrymore has performed on stage there, Sir Ian McKellen and Graham Norton are among celebrities who stop by from time to time and for 26 years it has hosted a weekly amateur comedy strip contest.

That night, compered by a cast of east London's most flamboyant drag queens, sees volunteers from the audience take part in the show.

But it faces being banned following Labour-led Tower Hamlet council's recent sex establishment consultation.

Here's my BBC News report.