5 March 2025

The Emergency Department (ED) at Frimley Park Hospital is now routinely screening patients having blood tests to ensure life-saving treatment for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Patients aged 16 or over who have a blood test in ED as part of their normal care will be tested for these blood borne viruses (BBV). The conditions can be treated once diagnosed and medication helps prevent them being passed on.

“HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are all easy to test and treat. The sooner you are diagnosed and begin your care, the quicker your body can recover,” said Dr Patrick Aldridge, principal investigator for the BBV project at Frimley Park.

“By routinely including these blood tests we can ensure you get life-saving treatment, care and support to live a normal, healthy life – all free from the NHS. Your test results, like all NHS tests, are confidential.”

Many people in the UK do not know they are living with a blood borne virus, which is why this method of testing is being adopted in hospitals across the country, successfully linking patients to treatment.

Hepatitis B and C are viruses that affect the liver and HIV affects the immune system. Without the right care, their effects can become life-threatening and symptoms can take years to show. The UK Government has set a goal of ending new HIV and hepatitis C transmission in England by 2030 and to provide people who test positive with the right care.

“In the UK, it is estimated there are 5,000 to 6,000 people living with HIV and not knowing they have it,” said Avi (Nishan) Khanal, HIV surveillance clinical nurse specialist for Frimley Health.

“Once diagnosed, people living with HIV can access free, effective treatment which means they can have a normal life expectancy and can’t pass on the virus. That’s better for the individual, as they can stay healthy, and better for the community as we can stop further transmission.”

The BBV testing is an ‘opt out’ test, meaning every blood test will be screened for these viruses, unless a patient tells ED staff not to test their sample. All results will be kept confidential with patients only contacted further if a reactive or 'non-negative' result is shown.

For further information, visit Emergency department blood screening | NHS Frimley Health Foundation Trust

Pictured: Dr Patrick Aldridge, principal investigator for the BBV project at Frimley Park Hospital, and Avi (Nishan) Khanal, HIV surveillance clinical nurse specialist for Frimley Health.