Government urged to expand opt-out HIV and hepatitis testing by leading charities
Funding the expansion of opt-out HIV and hepatitis testing in England is a “no brainer”, five leading charities have told the government.
Terrence Higgins Trust, National AIDS Trust, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Hepatitis C Trust and the British Liver Trust are all calling on Rishi Sunak’s administration to roll out the opt-out tests in A&E departments within areas that have a high HIV prevalence.
In just 12 months, more than 1,998 people have been found with HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C as a result of opt-out testing in the very highest prevalence areas (London, Brighton, Manchester and Blackpool) after the government allocated funding for it as part of its HIV Action Plan in 2021.
The initiative also found an additional 470 people who were previously diagnosed, but were not receiving life-changing treatment. READ MORE: London’s A&E departments launch opt-out HIV testing for patients having blood tests It has “saved the NHS millions in care costs because those diagnosed have been able to initiate treatment”, the charities said in a joint statement on 7 June.
