UHNM to receive continued national funding for life-saving HIV and hepatitis testing programme

Dr Andrew Bennett (right) with staff from the Royal Stoke Emergency Department

A potentially life-saving opt-out testing programme for HIV and viral hepatitis at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has secured renewed national funding for a further two years. 
 
Since March, patients aged 16 and over attending UHNM’s Emergency Departments (ED) and in need of a blood test have received screening for blood-borne viruses (BBVs) unless they ask to opt-out. 
 
To date UHNM has completed over 31,000 tests which have led to more than 50 patients who otherwise would not have been aware they were living with HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C receive a potentially life-saving diagnosis.  
 
The confirmation from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England (NHSE) means the programme will now run until 2029.
 
Dr Andrew Bennett, specialist doctor in emergency medicine, said: “We are delighted that this crucial programme is able to continue. Routine opt-out testing in our ED at both Royal Stoke and County hospitals is helping us identify people who may not otherwise have been tested, enabling us to offer life-saving treatment earlier and reduce onward transmission within our communities.
 
“This continued funding recognises the outstanding work of our ED, virology and specialist teams. Their commitment to delivering this programme has already made a significant difference to dozens of patients locally and we look forward to building on this success of the programme in the coming years.”
 
The extra funding is part of NHS England’s plan to stop new HIV cases by 2030. The plan focuses on making HIV testing a routine part of visits to emergency departments and continuing checks for hepatitis across the country. 
 
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: “We’re incredibly proud of our ED teams for their part in this programme, which is helping identify people who may not otherwise be tested. Opt-out testing is simple, effective and fits easily into our routine care requiring just one extra blood sample. All results are anonymised for research, and only those with an initial positive result are contacted and supported.”