Routine HIV testing introduced at Salford Royal’s emergency department 12 months ago is helping to save lives by diagnosing a condition that would otherwise have gone undetected.
Since October 2023, HIV opt-out testing has taken place in the emergency department at Salford Royal Hospital, which is part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA), for everyone aged 16 and over who has blood tests, unless they choose to opt out.
This is part of a national NHS initiative to test in the areas where prevalence of HIV is highest to ensure that people living with undiagnosed HIV are tested and offered treatment, which will improve health, save lives and prevent transmission of HIV.
Between October 2023 and August 2024, more than 36,000 HIV tests have been carried out by NCA Pathology labs at Salford Royal, resulting in 10 people being diagnosed with HIV.
Testing coverage at Salford Royal has been higher than the national average, with 83 per cent of those eligible being tested for HIV, compared to a national average of 66 per cent.
Dr Ashley Clews, Salford Royal emergency department consultant, said: “This programme has allowed staff to feel proud that they are being proactive in offering a valuable service to their patients and the wider population. This feeling has been bolstered by feedback of a number of new diagnoses of HIV and people re-engaging with care services.”
A number of people living with HIV may have no obvious symptoms and may not be aware of their diagnosis. The screening programme can help make the diagnosis much earlier and with the right treatment and support, people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives. It can also help prevent transmission since risk once on effective treatment is zero.
A relative of a patient, said: “It's amazing, if he hadn't been tested in A&E, he would have never known, and he could have gone for months or years without testing and could have become really poorly.”
If a person has a positive result, they will be contacted to come to a clinic for further tests and treatment as well as offered support via George House Trust, an HIV support organisation in Manchester.
Plans are underway to introduce HIV opt out testing at the other emergency departments across the NCA in 2025
In January 2024, opt out testing for hepatitis C commenced with more than 26,000 tests being carried out to date and 22 people being newly diagnosed. There are plans to introduce hepatitis B testing early in 2025.
The programme has helped address inequalities in testing and treatment. Many people diagnosed through this programme are individuals who would not otherwise have been tested through other routes. The widespread and unbiased testing of a large number of patients has also helped work towards reducing the stigma associated with being tested for these conditions.
Anyone not wishing to be tested is free to decline the offer of a test and can do so by letting a member of staff know.
For further information, please visit:
Salford Royal Emergency Department Routine Testing for HIV and Hep C :: Northern Care Alliance
