Abstract: HIV Scotland has completed a report looking at the prevention needs of the Forth Valley area, Needs Assessment Report: Integrated HIV Prevention in Forth Valley This work was undertaken in collaboration with NHS Forth Valley and benefits considerably from the generosity of those who gave of their time, insights and experience. These contributions were very much appreciated. The Report outlines key factors as to the background of HIV in the Forth Valley area, the services currently available and how they operate, and draws out six themes. Recommendations for future strategic direction provide a basis for taking forward the challenges of addressing the prevention needs of people living in Forth Valley. The small Steering Group with expert advice from professionals from public health, HIV clinical and nursing care, health promotion and national coordination will continue to meet to ensure that this work is built into planning for the future. Forth Valley is not unusual in following recent trends in HIV in Scotland. Numbers being diagnosed with HIV continue to increase. More people are living with HIV and using treatment services than ever before. Populations most affected by HIV are increasingly diverse with men who have sex with men and those with links to sub-Saharan Africa particularly heavily affected. Although primarily focused upon health related needs, the report finds that these are inseparable from social care, education, equality and diversity. The report calls for increased local support, as only through combined efforts across all sectors and sections of society, is the rising trend of HIV infection likely to be reversed. One contributory factor in the experience of people affected is general lack of knowledge of what it means to be living with HIV, or even about some of the basic facts. Stigma often results, with people being marked out and experiencing isolation either because people know or think they are HIV positive or because there are other prejudices at work. The report comes at an opportune moment, when at a national level, the Scottish Government is about to publish its HIV Action Plan for Scotland, the first for about a decade. HIV Scotland and NHS Forth Valley wish to thank all contributors and especially Wendy Ball of HIV Scotland, the author and coordinator of the Report.