Routine hepatitis and HIV testing is being rolled out across the NHS in a ground-breaking program to detect and treat blood-borne diseases

Routine testing for life-threatening hepatitis B and C is being rolled out across the NHS as part of a ground-breaking program to detect and treat blood-borne diseases.

The programme, which has just been introduced at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, will see all patients arriving at the emergency department automatically tested for the diseases – unless they ask to opt out.

Blood samples are also being tested for HIV as data shows the number of cases among heterosexual Britons has risen by a third in one year.

Research shows that thousands of people are living with an undiagnosed blood-borne virus that, if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of 46 hospitals that have received funding to take part in the programme.

Routine tests for life-threatening hepatitis B and C are being rolled out across the NHS as part of a ground-breaking program to detect and treat blood-borne diseases (stock photo)

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

It is expected that the majority of these locations will be operational within a year, while a pilot project has been running since 2022.

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

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

Hepatitis C infections also affect the liver and can be life-threatening if left untreated, but if caught early enough they are curable.

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

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

Hospitals said: ‘We are very excited to roll out this life-saving routine testing program for blood-borne viruses in our emergency department.

‘Elsewhere in the country, the program has had a significant impact in diagnosing thousands of people who would otherwise not know they have HIV, hepatitis B or C.’

She added: We take pride in improving the lives of the people we serve. We also hope that the program will normalize HIV testing and thereby reduce the associated stigma.”