Routine Hepatitis and HIV tests rolled out on NHS in pioneering scheme to detect and treat blood-borne illnesses

Routine testing for life-threatening hepatitis B and C is being rolled out on the NHS as part of a pioneering scheme to detect and treat blood-borne illnesses.

The programme, which has just been introduced at Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, sees all patients arriving at its accident and emergency department automatically tested for the diseases – unless they request to opt out.

Blood samples are also being tested for HIV, as data shows that cases among heterosexual Britons have soared by a third in one year.

Research suggests that thousands of people are living with an undiagnosed blood-borne virus which, left untreated, could lead to serious health problems.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of 46 hospitals which have been given funding to take part in the scheme.

Research suggests that thousands of people are living with an undiagnosed blood-borne virus which, left untreated, could lead to serious health problems (stock photo)

The majority of these sites are expected to be up-and-running within a year, while a pilot scheme has been operating since 2022.

Hepatitis B is a liver infection that can be spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids.

While the infection usually clears up on its own without treatment, it can also become chronic and lead to lasting liver damage.

Also impacting the liver, hepatitis C infections can be life-threatening when left untreated – but if caught early enough, are curable.

The disease, which is usually spread through exposure to contaminated blood, often has no noticeable symptoms until the liver has been significantly damaged, leaving many victims unaware that they have the condition until it has developed. Once diagnosed, however, hepatitis C can be treated with weekly injections or pills.

Dr Rachel Foster, the infectious diseases and acute medicine consultant at Sheffield Teaching

Hospitals, said: ‘We are really excited to be rolling out this life-saving routine 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.’

She added: We’re proud to improve the lives of the people we serve. We also hope the scheme will normalise testing for HIV, and thus reduce associated stigma.’