Opt-out HIV testing programme in England will be expanded to high prevalence areas

The opt-out HIV testing scheme is set to be expanded to 46 more emergency departments across England after the pilot’s first successful round, the Department of Health and Social Care has announced.

The scheme involves offering testing for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C to anyone having a blood test in hospital accident and emergency units. Since launching in April 2022 in 33 hospitals in the highest prevalence areas (five cases per 1000 people aged 15 to 59) the programme has identified almost 4000 people with a bloodborne virus.

The second round of the programme will now cover all 32 high prevalence areas, defined as those with 2-5 cases per 1000, which have been identified through national HIV surveillance systems. This will mean an additional 46 emergency …