Gay men have long been at the forefront of the HIV battle. Thus, one would assume that health services would be well equipped to help HIV positive men. It has, after all, been twenty-five years. Not so in England. A new report shows that even though health officials pat themselves on the back, gay men aren't feeling so congratulatory. Gay UK reports:

A surprising finding from the report was that commissioners felt that the needs of gay men living with HIV were generally well-met by current HIV services. This view is not shared by many gay men living with the virus, as Dr Chris Taylor, Consultant in HIV Medicine at King’s College Hospital, comments:

“In my own practice, people with HIV, including gay men, comment that social care and support services are not available or accessible at their times of greatest need. This needs to be taken on board by commissioners and providers of services to people with HIV."

The report also claims health officials have not adequately adapted to the changing face of HIV treatment - new drugs and methods have not been employed, nor are funds being channeled to the appropriate social services. For example, while money's spent treating the most far gone patients, not enough's spent on preventative measures. What's this all mean? Britain needs new tactics lest they lose a significant part of their gay population to a disease that's already claimed too many lives.