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Kat Smithson

@kat-smithson.bsky.social

CEO of British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) She/her

156 Followers  |  92 Following  |  23 Posts  |  Joined: 19.11.2024
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Posts by Kat Smithson (@kat-smithson.bsky.social)

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It’s our first ever @bashhuk.bsky.social staff Christmas πŸ₯³ …and here we are magically in gingerbread form courtesy of the Gingerbread City exhibit πŸ₯°

Been a big year and feeling so thankful for and proud of this team. Onwards and upwards team BASHH πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽˆ

09.12.2025 14:50 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Brilliant to see recognition here on developing people

Support for recruitment into our incredible specialty of GUM & reference to STI Foundation πŸ™ŒπŸ»

STI Foundation is developed and run by BASHH members. It’s constantly evolving, always excellent and I’m proud to be helping take it even further

01.12.2025 17:52 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Today, the Government unveiled the new HIV Action Plan for England, backed by Β£170 million.

This marks a pivotal moment in shifting the dial in the HIV response.

Please read BASHH's response below ⬇️

01.12.2025 09:28 β€” πŸ‘ 22    πŸ” 11    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I'm really proud of this piece of work and the dedication of those BASHH members who have worked with the team at Purple Pen to drive it. Thank you to everyone involved.

Now the hard work starts...this is already shaping BASHH strategy and plans for the future but there's always more to do

27.11.2025 15:59 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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BASHH responded to the Women and Equalities Committee’s new report, which highlights alarming rises in HIV diagnoses among women and minority ethnic communities, and warns that sexual health services are β€œextremely stretched”.

Read our full statement on the publication ➑️ bit.ly/4iajaQn

19.11.2025 09:11 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Congratulations to Dr Cara Saxon on her appointment to President-elect of @bashhuk.bsky.social

Many thanks to Professor Matt Phillips on his leadership and vision over these past years.

We look forward to continuing to work closely with our BASHH colleagues.

12.11.2025 18:29 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Congrats to the brilliant @carasaxon.bsky.social who is set to take up the role of @BASHH_UK President in 2026!

Cara is such a committed Gen Sec and she’ll take this passion with her into the President role.

Well done and thank you to all new board and committee members πŸ₯° #LoveGum

12.11.2025 18:39 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Contact Us

Staff @bashhuk.bsky.social are still experiencing email issues and are not receiving emails to any .net email addresses.

We're working on it and can continue to pick things up on our website contact form www.bashh.org/about/contac...

30.10.2025 12:59 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

We’re sorry if you’ve not been able to get in touch with the team by email today and have had a bounce back. We’re working on it, but you can still reach us through our admin inbox and via socials.

28.10.2025 16:05 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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BASHH warmly welcomes NICE’s approval of long-acting Cabotegravir (CAB-LA) as an HIV prevention option for people who cannot have oral PrEP tablets.

Please read our full statement ➑️ bit.ly/3JbDBiL

17.10.2025 08:46 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Call for young people to get tested as gonorrhoea rates rise A report by Public Health Scotland states there has been a 59% increase.

BASHH recently supported the launch of short films to enhance partner notification.

πŸŽ₯ Last night, STV News covered the importance of young people getting tested, promoting the value of the short films and interviewing the project leads @glasgowcaledonian.bsky.social

bit.ly/48HErOG

30.09.2025 16:59 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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During @kat-smithson.bsky.social attendance at the @commonswec.parliament.uk, she discussed the need to consider sexual health within the 10YHP, urging government to act swiftly to reverse current trends.

BASHH welcomes continued collaboration with the government to improve sexual health care.

03.09.2025 16:05 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1

Privileged to represent @bashhuk.bsky.social today for @commonswec.parliament.uk session on sexual health.

With rising inequalities and historic STI rates and demand, the pressure on our services is not sustainable. We need to enable our fantastic workforce to reach all where and when needed

03.09.2025 15:55 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Today is the day!

The 4CMenB vaccine is now being rolled out across England. This is such a vital tool as we face record levels of gonorrhoea with significant inequalities.

04.08.2025 15:08 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Always an inspiration Dr. Marrazzo - provides loads of hope, keep passionately advocating! We need honest conversations, work with our community partners and don’t lose ground - fantastic #STIHIV2025

30.07.2025 21:30 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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So the inspirational #stihiv2025 is over in Montreal: 1400 people from 70+ countries sharing science. And now @iusti-europe.bsky.social invites you to Prague for the next IUSTI World meeting next October, with me and Janneke Heijne leading the Scientific Committee. www.iustiprague2026.com

31.07.2025 01:01 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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I loved this diagram about scientific activism and the many forms it can take. Especially when everything can feel overwhelming.

Also can’t wait for more from @drannehanley.bsky.social leading the most incredible oral histories project, creating a hugely rich archive of experience of and in SH ❀️

29.07.2025 16:43 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

My highlights of #STIHIV2025 have been reflections on the past. @bashhuk.bsky.social is part of a social as well as medical history.

@henrydevries.bsky.social artfully used a queer theory lens to describe evolving approach sexual health and what he described as the current anti-liberal backlash 🧡

29.07.2025 16:43 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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I’m all set at #STIHIV2025 @stihiv2025.org Montreal

Met incredible people in last 24 hours - lots being shared and learned. But many are not able to attend and we need to bring convos online and continue them after πŸ—£οΈπŸ”Š

If you are here, find me at the @bashhuk.bsky.social stand

28.07.2025 12:09 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The realities of living with HIV have changed Dr Tristan Barber and Tom Hayes-Isaacs, an activist living with HIV, discuss how advances in medicine now allow many people living with HIV to lead full and healthy lives.

delighted to see this article with me and @positivelad.me out in @gaytimes.bsky.social for #ZeroHIVStigmaDay

www.gaytimes.com/life/the-rea...

21.07.2025 16:20 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

BASHH has not one, but two fantastic (even if I do say so myself) job opportunities!

The new BASHH Executive Assistant and Training and Membership Officer will be joining a small and supportive team, but will get to be part of a much bigger network and movement #LoveGUM

Check out the details πŸ‘‡πŸ»

16.07.2025 13:22 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ“’ The BASHH/BHIVA Guidelines on the Use of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) 2025 have been published

Thank you to @bhiva.bsky.social, the writing group, and all contributors for your expertise and dedication.

Access the guidelines here ➑️ bit.ly/4lMe9Ou

11.07.2025 09:00 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Very excited to be able to share that we are expanding our in-house team! We're now hiring for a new Training and Membership Officer @bashhuk.bsky.social

The post holder will be part of a small but mighty team supporting BASHH members to deliver our education programme. See links below⬇️

09.07.2025 09:51 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Our website is currently down - but don't worry, we're on it!

We're working behind the scenes to get things back up and running as soon as possible. Thank you for bearing with us.

04.07.2025 09:04 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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As an organisation committed to inclusive sexual health and HIV care, we are deeply concerned about the EHRC draft guidelines and the implications it could have for trans people accessing services.

Read the joint-sector statement here:https://bit.ly/3GpDEX1

03.07.2025 12:03 β€” πŸ‘ 27    πŸ” 12    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Groundbreaking HIV PrEP programme relaunches for 10 year anniversary β€” The Love Tank CIC HIV prevention programme  PrEPster  - formed by activists in 2015 in response to inaction on education and implementation on HIV PrEP - relaunches today to mark its 10th year since being fou...

The Love Tank's groundbreaking HIV PrEP programme - PrEPster - relaunches for our 10 year anniversary.

A totally new website brings PrEP info to a whole new generation of PrEP users and those who could use PrEP.

www.thelovetank.info/news/prepster

18.06.2025 06:33 β€” πŸ‘ 17    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Amazing opportunity to attend the BASHH conference.
It has been an inspiring space to learn from so many impactful practices within sexual Health across the UK.

11.06.2025 12:23 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Shout out to @thelovetankcic.bsky.social for driving community engagement with this guideline and for amazing contributions to the writing group πŸ₯°

Please check out the little black pocket guide to doxyPEP as well πŸ™ŒπŸ» www.queerhealth.info/projects/dox...

11.06.2025 13:14 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Honoured to be joined by the Women's Health Ambassador, Dame Lesley Regan, for a chat with BASHH President, Professor Matt Phillips
and @libokecha.bsky.social #BASHH2025

A real rallying cry for not only listening to a woman better but making sure we are ready to receive her and meet her needs

11.06.2025 11:10 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0