Ending HIV Transmission in Scotland by 2030 - elimination delivery plan 2023-2026: island communities impact assessment

2. Gather your data and identify your stakeholders

This policy affects anyone in Scotland living with HIV (diagnosed or undiagnosed), health and social care workers, as well as those at risk of acquiring HIV.

According to the most recent data from Public Health Scotland^[2], from 2013 to 2022 there were very low numbers (0-5 per year) of new HIV diagnoses from Orkney/Shetland/Western Isles NHS Boards. In the same time period there were 71 new diagnoses in the NHS Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board (out of 1,805 nationally). Furthermore, out of 6150 individuals diagnosed and living with HIV in Scotland (data from December 2022), 29 individuals lived in Orkney/Shetland/Western Isles and 168 individuals lived in Ayrshire and Arran. This evidence indicates that there are relatively small numbers of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in island communities. However, stigma around HIV is perceived as high in rural and island communities.