HIV and hepatitis research project hits ten thousand patient milestone at UHNM

Ten thousand patients at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) have been tested for HIV and hepatitis during the first two months of a national research project. 

Since 3 March, patients aged 16 and over attending UHNM’s Emergency Department (ED) and in need of a blood test have received screening for blood-borne viruses (BBVs) unless they ask to opt-out. 

The screening, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), has led to almost 30 patients who otherwise would not have been aware they were living with HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C receive a potentially life-saving diagnosis.  

Dr Andrew Bennett, specialist doctor in emergency medicine, said: “Opt-out testing in ED is a vital public health measure, helping to identify HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C in people who might not otherwise get tested, many of whom have no symptoms and are unaware they're living with an infection. 

“By making testing routine, we break down barriers to diagnosis, reduce stigma, and ensure more equitable access to care. The programme is already making a significant impact in diagnosing individuals in our area and connecting them with the treatment they need.”

Staffordshire has been chosen to take part in the programme as it has local authority areas with a high prevalence of HIV, with 2.2 cases per 1,000. 
 
Data from 2021 suggests an estimated 4,400 people in the UK were living with an undiagnosed HIV.

The initiative is expected to see the Royal Stoke’s virology laboratories screen up to 86,000 patients a year.    

Gareth Pierce-Wilding, virology service lead said: “The number of HIV tests processed weekly by our virology team at UHNM has risen from around 800 to over 2,100, which reflects the enormous effort that’s gone into delivering this vital initiative safely and effectively.”

The national HIV action plan published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has committed to ending HIV transmissions in England by 2030, reducing HIV transmissions by 80 per-cent between 2019 and 2025. 
Posters and leaflets are available in ED to inform patients about the testing. Patients not required to have a blood test during their visit will not be tested. 

Debbie Lowe, associate directorate manager for emergency medicine, said:  “Evidence shows that an opt-out approach leads to significantly higher testing uptake compared to opt-in. Importantly, this programme doesn’t interfere with the usual care patients receive in the Emergency Department, it simply involves taking an extra blood sample during routine tests. Clear information about the screening will be visible throughout the department and shared with patients when they arrive.

“Test results are anonymised for research, and only those with a positive initial result will be contacted for confirmatory testing and offered specialist support.”