New virus screening unit carries out 47,000 tests

A new unit dedicated to HIV care has carried out 47,000 screenings for bloodborne viruses since opening 16 months ago.

Every adult who attends hospital emergency departments run by the The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust have been automatically offered testing for HIV and hepatitis infections following the launch of opt-out testing in October 2024.

So far, 28,000 tests have been processed in New Cross Hospital and 19,000 in Walsall Manor hospital by the HIV Team at Wolverhampton's Embrace Sexual Health Service, which leads the programme.

According to the NHS, thousands of people in England are thought to be living with undiagnosed cases of HIV, hepatitis B or C.

"Through the team's hard work and collaboration with the [emergency department], Wolverhampton and Walsall are not only diagnosing HIV and hepatitis infections earlier, but ensuring that individuals are supported into long term, specialist care," said Lovejoy Guinto, HIV clinical nurse specialist lead.

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