PATIENTS attending the Emergency Department (ED) at the Royal Victoria Infirmary will soon be offered potentially lifesaving opt-out testing for blood-borne viruses (BBVs) like HIV.
As part of an NHS England programme that is already established in other emergency departments across the country, all patients aged 16 and over – and in need of a blood test – will receive screening unless they ask to opt-out.
Testing begins this month and will initially take place between 8am and 8pm every Tuesday, although this will be extended to seven days of the week later in the year.
Staff will test for 3 infections – HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C – all of which can remain silent for many years and cause serious health problems if left untreated.
However there are now highly effective medical treatments for all 3 infections. Hepatitis C can be cured and HIV and Hepatitis B can be controlled meaning they are no longer conditions that are life-limiting and treatment is giving people living these viruses healthier, longer lives.
Consultant in infection and general internal medicine, Dr Ewan Hunter, said: “This opt-out BBV testing has been shown to be very effective to detect these infections in people from across the community. Patients with blood-borne viruses such as HIV or hepatitis often have no symptoms and are unaware that they are living with an infection.
“The only way to find out if someone has a BBV is to carry out a blood test. The prospect of being able to identify infection in patients, who would otherwise not know, and be able to offer effective treatment whilst reducing the risk of onward infection, is an exciting opportunity.
“We know from other hospitals involved in this project that number of people living with BBVs is higher in their areas than previously thought, meaning there is a great opportunity to find and treat these patients that are either previously lost to follow-up appointments, or never known to carry a BBV.
“Now that treatment is so much more effective, these are no longer conditions that are life-limiting or carry the same stigma. It means we can give these patients a better chance of a healthier, longer life, by getting them on treatments earlier.”
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.
Information on the programme will be displayed throughout the Emergency Department and can also be found on the trust’s website including a frequently asked questions section.
