The #BetterToKnow HIV testing campaign for primary care launches across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) on 4 March 2026.
This page provides information for healthcare professionals only. If you want an HIV test or more information about HIV testing, go to:
About the campaign
Our goal is clear: to normalise HIV testing in GP settings for patients presenting with clinical indicator conditions, in line with NICE recommendations.
Late HIV diagnosis continues to be a major challenge, leading to poorer health outcomes and increased risk of onward transmission. Many people diagnosed late have had multiple GP interactions before HIV is identified.
#BetterToKnow is designed to change that by:
- Ardens electronic prompt – to remind GPs to offer an HIV test when patients present with conditions that could be a warning sign of HIV.
- Short educational videos – clear, accessible videos on the campaign, patient stories and how to offer a test / manage results.
- Awareness materials – posters and electronic banners for your practice to boost visibility and normalise conversations about HIV testing among both patients and staff.
Because when it comes to HIV, it really is #BetterToKnow.
Campaign resources
Ardens electronic HIV prompt
To activate the Ardens alert:
- Click the EMIS ball > Configuration > Resource Publisher.
- Go to Shared folders > Ardens National Content – New > Infections.
- Locate the Consider HIV Screening protocol.
- Right click on the alert.
- Select Status > Activate.
For more information about Ardens HIV prompts, templates and searches, please visit: HIV – Ardens EMIS Support website.
Videos
#BetterToKnow HIV testing playlist – YouTube
Posters and other downloadable resources
Buckinghamshire
- Poster: 5 reasons you should test for HIV. Buckinghamshire branding (pdf)
- HIV testing card. Buckinghamshire branding (pdf)
- Digital screen: 5 reasons you should test for HIV. Buckinghamshire branding (jpg); view text description of Buckinghamshire digital screen image (pdf)
- Poster for staff: do you know what HIV indicator conditions are? Buckinghamshire branding (pdf)
For how to refer to HIV services in Buckinghamshire, please go to the Bucks sexual health and wellbeing (bSHAW) website – GPs and nurses.
Oxfordshire
- Poster: 5 reasons you should test for HIV. Oxfordshire branding (pdf)
- HIV testing card. Oxfordshire branding (pdf)
- Digital screen: 5 reasons you should test for HIV. Oxfordshire branding (jpg); view text description of Oxfordshire digital screen image (pdf)
- Poster for staff: do you know what HIV indicator conditions are? Oxfordshire branding (pdf)
Berkshire
Resources coming soon.