Hackney residents get access to free HIV prevention medication online for the first time

The new service will help improve access to vital HIV prevention medication (known as PrEP). 

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a pill that HIV-negative people can take to protect them from acquiring HIV. PrEP can be 99% effective when taken correctly.

Commissioned by Hackney Council, local residents can complete digital consultations and receive PrEP medication via post, all from the comfort of their home.

While recent data from UKHSA highlights improvements in HIV testing and PrEP access for white gay and bisexual men, disparities persist among other groups - particularly women and people from Global Majority communities. 

In 2023, 980 people in London were newly diagnosed with HIV, including 691 men and 288 women. In Hackney, 50% of new HIV diagnoses in 2023 were through heterosexual contact, and over 25% of the new diagnoses were in women. This highlights that PrEP should be accessible to anyone who needs it.

The service is designed to improve access for all while providing a cost-effective alternative to more traditional, in-clinic services. 

“This innovative service marks a major step forward in our mission to tackle health inequalities in Hackney. 

"By offering digital access to PrEP, we’re removing traditional barriers to access - such as stigma, scheduling constraints, or the inconvenience of trying to book an appointment and travelling to a clinic. By doing this we are reaching communities who have often been underserved by in-person services. 

"We’re proud to lead the way in making HIV prevention more inclusive, accessible and centred around people’s lives.”

Cllr Chris Kennedy, Hackney Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture

The service is delivered by Preventx - the UK’s largest provider of remote sexual health testing who launched England’s first fully digital HIV PrEP service, in 2024. Preventx’s Specialist Clinical Nurses ensure every aspect of its digital sexual health service is grounded in evidence-based care, compassion, and accessibility. 

The service supports the National HIV Strategy by aligning with the Government’s three key healthcare priorities: Moving prevention into the community; Harnessing digital technology to streamline care; and Prioritising prevention over treatment.

As the UK continues to progress toward its goal of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030, this digital-first approach plays a vital role in expanding access to prevention tools and reducing health inequalities.

For more information on how to access digital PrEP in Hackney, visit  shl-hackney-dprep.sh.uk