HIV indicator conditions

The HIV Indicator Condition (IC) toolkit constitutes an evidence-informed ‘whole system’ approach to IC testing. As far as we are aware, it is the first attempt at such an approach at a national level. It forms part of the HIV Transmission Elimination Delivery Plan Implementation Group (HIV TEDI) Right Decision Service toolkit hosted by Health Improvement Scotland. The IC toolkit will also be implemented in two stages, each part covering a number of conditions. Stage 1 content is included here, Stage 2 will be developed over summer 2026. This staged approach is intended to gauge effectiveness and acceptability to clinicians and the public. 

Other key components already completed or being developed in parallel are: 

• IC testing information for the public on NHS Inform (initial changes went live February 2026 further changes to be added in due course) 
• Laboratory prompts to be developed for the LIMS laboratory system and local Order comms systems to support testing (mid 2026) 
• Public facing assets (posters, digital leaflets) to support IC testing (tbc 2026) 
• HIV Informed, a comprehensive learning hub for the health and social care workforce 
• TURAS modules on HIV testing 

The chapter covering HIV IC testing in the BHIVA/BASHH/BIA UK Guidelines on HIV Testing 2026 (not yet released) has been extensively revised in parallel with developing this toolkit and has involved detailed review of the evidence with UK experts. HIV IC testing complements but does not replicate the Emergency Department (ED) Testing Opt-out programme in Scotland.