A new initiative to provide life-saving treatment to patients who are unaware they are living with HIV and hepatitis B or C has been launched.

Medway NHS Foundation Trust is spearheading the new programme which aims to screen patients aged 16 and over who are attending Medway Maritime Hospital’s A&E and have their bloods taken.

The initiative to check people for the blood-borne viruses is being funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

More than 150,000 patients visit the emergency department at the Gillingham hospital each year. Medway is one of 50 NHS sites in England to join the programme.

Any patients requiring follow-up care will be referred to an expert, consultant-led team, from Medway NHS Foundation Trust for hepatitis B, or C, or Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust for HIV.

The national HIV action plan, published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), has committed to ending HIV transmissions in England by 2030 and reducing HIV transmissions by 80% between 2019 and 2025.

In England, many people are believed to be living with the conditions. These viruses can be effectively treated and cured in the case of hepatitis C, reducing the risk of serious complications and preventing the spread.

Dr Bayo Da-Costa, consultant and clinical director for acute and emergency medicine, said: “This launch of opt-out testing for blood-borne viruses will allow us to identify many more cases of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C within the community.

“Often, patients have no symptoms and are unaware they are living with these viruses.

“By conducting routine blood tests, we can spot cases early, help these patients get effective treatment, and reduce the risk of transmission.”

Sydney Hughes, general manager for emergency medicine, added: “Research studies have shown that testing uptake is higher with an opt-out approach.

“This programme will not impact the care patients receive; it's simply an additional step during a routine blood test.

“Information about screening will be displayed throughout the department and the results will be anonymised and used for research purposes.

“Only those who require follow-up care will be contacted for further testing and specialist support.”