As we prepare to close @arc-west.bsky.social at the end of the month, I’ve been reflecting on our extraordinary 12-year journey.
Working with such talented colleagues, dedicated partners and diverse communities has been a true privilege. Thanks to everyone who helped make ARC West such a success.
Community pharmacies could transform #PrEP access. New pilot shows high public + staff acceptance, and reach to underserved groups. A promising step toward reducing #HIV inequities
#STI #STISky 🛟 @rsph.bsky.social @adphuk.bsky.social @fphuk.bsky.social @bashhuk.bsky.social @bristoluni.bsky.social
Our pilot study shows community pharmacies are an acceptable setting for #PrEP awareness and referral. Pharmacists successfully initiating PrEP conversations & linking people to remote prescribing. A practical way to expand #HIV prevention access
#STI #STISky 🛟 @nat.org.uk @bhiva.bsky.social
Our @shipsexhealth.bsky.social brings together service users, sexual health + public health staff & academics to improve #SexualHealth
⬇️ This free webinar showcases our research tackling #HIV inequities & improving #PrEP access
#STI #STISky 🛟@nat.org.uk @bhiva.bsky.social @hpruebs.bsky.social
To embed opt-out testing into emergency care, sites should ➡️implement automated test ordering
➡️staff training
➡️clear communication
➡️dedicated champions
To support earlier #HIV and #Hepatitis diagnosis, reduce inequalities and improve patient outcomes.
@rcem.ac.uk #EmergencyMedicine #BBV #STISky 🛟
Our new paper led by @siobhanallison.bsky.social examines staff perspectives on implementing opt-out #HIV and #Hepititis testing in emergency departments. It outlines barriers, enablers & opportunities to improve testing
➡️ emj.bmj.com/content/earl...
#EmergencyMedicine #BBV #STISky 🛟
How sexual health services can support #HPV & #hepatitis A & B #vaccine uptake among gay & bisexual men?
Our new paper highlight high vaccination acceptability & key ways to improve delivery + reach
➡️ www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/14...
@bashhuk.bsky.social @bristolhealthp.bsky.social 🛟
Very exciting that our paper on qualitative researchers' experiences of the peer review process has struck a chord and is the third most downloaded article from an APA journal in 2025! @janeemcallaghan.bsky.social @jeffnz.bsky.social @andrealamarre.bsky.social @joannasemlyen.bsky.social
Applications are now open for @nihrspcr.bsky.social funded primary care research post-doctoral fellowships to start in October 2026.
The 24-month fellowships can be taken up at any of the 9 NIHR School for Primary Care Research institutions, including here at Bristol.
Details: tinyurl.com/3nc9abzs
Our @shipsexhealth.bsky.social brings together service users, sexual health + public health staff & academics to improve #SexualHealth
⬇️ This free webinar showcases our research tackling #HIV inequities & improving #PrEP access
#STI #STISky 🛟@nat.org.uk @bhiva.bsky.social @hpruebs.bsky.social
A pilot scheme to provide HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis through community pharmacies has been delayed, the Welsh government has confirmed
#ukpharmacy #PrEP #HIV
Community pharmacy PrEP provision could be ‘transformative’ for HIV prevention
buff.ly/y3tc1qW
#HIV #PrEP #communitypharmacy #pharmacy #medicines #sexualhealth
Great paper by @austenelosta.bsky.social surveying 15,000 NHS patients showing that although awareness of #HIV & #PrEP remains low, there is strong public supports #pharmacy PrEP delivery as a way to expand access & reduce barriers
www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-8...
#STI #STISky 🛟
Our REACH-GP study aims to improve healthcare for older people living with #HIV in the UK
We are looking for healthcare professionals working in HIV clinics or general practice in Bristol, Brighton or Sheffield to attend an online focus group in Feb/March
More info ➡️ forms.office.com/e/hY7bLrPgkQ
Academic publishing has gone through its own “enshittification” from research as a public good to profit-driven journals theconversation.com/the-5-stages...
Great to see our #PrEP pharmacy pilot inform @tht.org.uk
report. Prep via pharmacies could make #HIV prevention more equitable, less stigmatized & more embedded in people’s everyday lives
Read about our research ➡️ arc-w.nihr.ac.uk/research/pro...
@arc-west.bsky.social @capcbristol.bsky.social
📢 New PATH-GP approach aims to boost HIV testing and access to free PrEP through NHS GP practices. Funded by @nihrspcr.bsky.social and developed by researchers at @arc-west.bsky.social, @capcbristol.bsky.social & @NIHRHPRU: https://www.spcr.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-gp-approach-could-boost-hiv-testing-and-prevention #SPCR #PrimaryCare #Research
📢 New PATH-GP approach aims to boost HIV testing and access to free PrEP through NHS GP practices. Funded by @nihrspcr.bsky.social and developed by researchers at @arc-west.bsky.social, @capcbristol.bsky.social & @NIHRHPRU: www.spcr.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-gp-...
#SPCR #PrimaryCare #Research
🩺Today is the FIRST #NHS Domestic Abuse Awareness Day (10 December).🩺
👩⚕️This important initiative acknowledges the high rates of DA among healthcare professionals & the support they need.
Research by Sandi Dheensa & colleagues has informed the campaign.
👉 tinyurl.com/2nwu758s
#NHSDAAD #16Days
📰News! A new evidence review identifies the most effective ways to increase vaccine uptake. 💉
The comprehensive review combined data from more than 200 trials comprising over 6 million participants.
More➡️ tinyurl.com/yuy7xse3 @ukhsa.bsky.social @lshtm.bsky.social @bristoluni.bsky.social
Fantastic that the government has confirmed continued funding for ED opt-out testing. Since 2022 it has identified 12,000+ people living with #HIV, #hepatitis B or hepatitis C nationally
Find out more about our @hpruebs.bsky.social evaluation
➡️ hpruebs.nihr.ac.uk/projects/eme...
#STI #STISky 🛟
A new strategy developed by Bristol researchers could transform how #HIV is diagnosed and prevented in UK general practice. 🩺
PATH-GP (Prevention and Testing for HIV in General Practice) aims to help more people get tested for HIV and improve access to #PrEP. 💊
🔗Find out more: tinyurl.com/5b3mtvfn
Our new @bjgp.bsky.social paper outlines the development of PATH-GP to support general practice to improve #HIV testing & access to #PrEP (a tablet to prevent getting HIV). Vital for earlier diagnosis, reducing inequities & supporting the goal of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030
#STI #STISky 🛟
This study developed a new intervention #PATH-GP, combining education, training, and systematic testing approaches to increase #HIV testing and access to pre-exposure prophylaxis in #GeneralPractice, addressing key barriers to HIV prevention doi.org/10.3399/BJGP... @arc-west.bsky.social #PrimaryCare
It is #WorldAIDSDay. We're showcasing our #HIV research
➡️ED opt-out testing evaluation
➡️pharmacy PrEP awareness & delivery pilot
➡️co-produced community innovation
➡️impact of global funding cuts
Ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 requires policy action & investment @arc-west.bsky.social
More excellent work from Michelle Farr & the Changing Futures team @capcbristol.bsky.social @arc-west.bsky.social. 🔽
See their latest paper: doi.org/10.1111/hex....
@nihrspcr.bsky.social @bristolhealthp.bsky.social @bnssgresearch.bsky.social
#TraumaInformed
🌟FREE RESOURCE🌟: I am delighted to announce that the Safe Spaces resource commissioned by AXA and produced by Omni is now available safespaces-againstviolence.axa.com/en/ It contains workplace training resources including some incredibly powerful interviews and dramas. Please repost. Thanks
📰News!📰Great to see our collaborative research shared by
GOV.UK!
Thousands with undiagnosed hepatitis and HIV found in A&E testing.
Read more ➡️ tinyurl.com/y7h3d926 @jhorwood.bsky.social @nhsengland.bsky.social @ukhsa.bsky.social
New website launch
📢New website launch!🎉
Six months into our new chapter of funding, we’re thrilled to unveil our new digital home! Explore our refreshed look, designed to make accessing our latest projects, research & collaborative opportunities easier than ever.
More➡️ tinyurl.com/bdfyyvf2 @nihr.bsky.social
Thousands of people with undiagnosed #HIV & #hepatitis have been found through opt-out testing in emergency departments. Our research is showing how emergency care can be a gateway to earlier diagnosis & prevention
Our @hpruebs.bsky.social evaluation ⬇️
hpruebs.nihr.ac.uk/projects/eme...
🛟 #STISky
Fantastic to see all we’ve achieved at ARC West over the past 6 years. So proud to work alongside such talented colleagues delivering truly excellent work #6YearsOfARCWest