Sheffield A&E to implement life-saving HIV and hepatitis testing

New government scheme to offer routine opt-out blood tests

Starting next week, Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital A&E Department will begin routine opt-out testing for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C for patients aged 16 and over.

This initiative, commencing on Tuesday, 1 October 2024, is part of a new Government scheme aimed at early detection and treatment of blood-borne viruses.

Thousands of people in England are believed to be living with undiagnosed blood-borne viruses, which can lead to severe health issues if left untreated. The routine testing at Sheffield’s A&E is expected to save lives by enabling earlier diagnosis and access to effective treatments, particularly for hepatitis C, which can be curative.

Dr Rachel Foster, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Acute Medicine at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative: “We are really excited to be rolling out this life-saving routine opt-out testing scheme for blood-borne viruses in our emergency department. Elsewhere in the country, the scheme has had a significant impact in diagnosing thousands of people who would otherwise not have been aware they had HIV, hepatitis B, or C.”

The opt-out testing scheme has been a flagship initiative in other NHS A&E departments since 2022, significantly contributing to the UK Action Plan to end all new HIV cases by 2030. Patients who test positive will receive specialist support and a tailored treatment plan.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of 46 new sites to receive funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and NHS England to implement the scheme over the next 12 months. Posters will inform patients about the testing, and those not requiring a blood test during their visit will not be tested.

Dr Foster added, “We, as a Trust, are proud to improve the lives of the people we serve and target viruses that affect our local community. We also hope the scheme will normalise testing for HIV and thus reduce associated stigma.”

The rollout is supported by a collaboration between the Trust’s emergency, laboratory medicine, virology, infectious diseases, and research departments, as well as the Stonegrove Centre. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance public health and combat the spread of these serious infections.