Patients undergoing routine blood tests in A&E departments at two Liverpool hospitals will be screened for blood-borne viruses – unless they opt out.
An innovative, proactive approach to public health is being introduced in Liverpool. The aim is to increase testing rates for blood-borne diseases HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Reaching individuals who may not realise they are at risk from such diseases will help to identify undiagnosed cases and address health inequalities across the region. Early diagnosis and access to life-saving treatment can make a significant difference to health outcomes.
The blood-testing in Liverpool, photo courtesy of Liverpool City Council
In addition, the new initiative will help to normalise testing for blood-borne viruses as part of routine health care. It also provides an opportunity to re-engage individuals who have previously been diagnosed with these diseases but are not currently in care.
Opt-out testing is being introduced in the accident and emergency (A&E) departments at Aintree University Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. The new testing regime follows successful pilots in Birmingham, Brighton, London and Manchester that, in just 18 months, identified nearly 1,000 cases of HIV and more than 3,000 cases of Hepatitis B and C.
This is important because, while there is currently no cure for HIV, early diagnosis and effective treatment allows individuals to live a normal life span. What’s more, effective HIV treatment ensures that people cannot pass on the virus – a concept known as U=U, where undetectable equals untransmittable.
Once diagnosed, resources are available through the new approach to support counselling and peer support services for newly diagnosed individuals.
Cllr Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Culture, Health, and Well-being at Liverpool City Council, says: ‘Access to testing is crucial, providing a vital opportunity for people to know their status and stay healthy. This initiative ensures those who might not see themselves as at risk can still benefit from testing and, if necessary, receive support. Alongside this, sexual health services and online testing options remain available to everyone.’
Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health at Liverpool City Council, adds: ‘Liverpool has a proud history of delivering bold public health interventions, and we are once again at the forefront of innovation with this initiative. Opt-out blood-borne viruses testing in A&E departments will help reduce inequalities and ensure more people know their status, receive the support they need, and stay healthy. Unique approaches like this are essential if we are to achieve zero new HIV transmissions by 2030 and empower our local population.’
Dr Jim Gardner, Group Chief Medical Officer at NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, which runs both Aintree University Hospital and Royal Liverpool University Hospital, says: ‘Through making the screening of these blood-borne viruses a part of routine care in our emergency departments, it means that we can stop the stigma that’s often associated and reduce health inequalities for our local communities. Not only can we support patients with access to the care they need, but through this initiative we can now potentially save someone’s life who would have previously remained undiagnosed.’
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