Get Tested LeEDs

Emergency Department Blood Borne Virus Testing

Get Tested LeEDs is a programme of opt-out testing for bloodborne viruses (BBV) in emergency departments at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust.

In April 2022, NHS England (NHSE) funded a programme of opt-out testing for bloodborne viruses (BBV) in emergency departments (EDs) in areas of very high diagnosed HIV prevalence. This means more than 5 per 1,000 people aged 15 to 59 years.

In 2023, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust had their two EDs identified to join the opt-out testing programme.

What does this mean to you?

For patients, this means that everyone aged 16 and older who requires a blood test in a Leeds Emergency Department (ED) will now also be tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Sometimes we are not able to test the blood we take from you due to a technical problem. We only inform people of positive results. If you do not have the infections, or your blood is not tested, we will not contact you.

If you do not wish to be tested, you can opt out of the testing by informing the staff member taking your blood.

Information on routine testing for Blood Borne Viruses (HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C) when having blood tests is available in Leeds Emergency Departments (EDs).

Frequently Asked Questions

Between 1 and 1.5% of adults in Leeds have one or more of these infections. Most do not realise they have been at risk, feel completely well for many years before developing advanced disease, and never have the opportunity to test.

All three infections, once known about, can be effectively managed, or cured. To support best practice, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust now tests all patients aged 16 and older, who are having bloods taken in the Emergency Department, for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

If you do not wish to be tested, please tell the person taking your bloods.

No, this means you do not have the infection and we will not contact you with your results.

However, if you have had a specific risk recently you should be retested at your GP or local sexual health clinic, 12 weeks after the risk.

If your test is positive, this means you have the infection, and we will contact you directly, within 2 weeks, to arrange an appointment for you to see a specialist to discuss your care. It is important that you ensure that your contact details are up to date so that we are able to contact you if you test positive for any of these infections.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that is spread through sex and blood. It damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and disease. About 1 in 400 people living in Leeds have HIV and at least 5% of these individuals do not know that they have the infection.

Although there is currently no cure for HIV, there are very effective drug treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life. People who are diagnosed early react to treatment better than those who are diagnosed late.

Anyone who tests positive can access free treatment which controls the virus, keeps them healthy and stops the virus being passed on to their sexual partners. Anyone who tests negative and is at risk of HIV can access free treatment to reduce their risk of getting HIV. This treatment is pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Hepatitis B is a virus that is spread through sex, blood and bodily fluids. It infects the liver and if left undiagnosed it can result in cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, leading to liver failure, or liver cancer.

There is currently no cure for hepatitis B, but there are very effective drug treatments that stop liver damage, allowing people to live a long and healthy life.

Hepatitis C is a virus that is spread through blood. It infects the liver and if left undiagnosed and untreated, it can sometimes cause serious and potentially life-threatening damage to the liver over many years.

Hepatitis C can be cured. Treatment is with tablets that are very well tolerated, taken daily for on average 12 weeks, with over 95% of individuals being cured after the first treatment.

More information on Hepatitis C is available on our website.

The treatment for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C is free.

No, having a negative HIV test has no effect on getting life insurance or a mortgage. Even in the case of a positive result you should not have difficulty getting personal medical insurance, loans or mortgages. Insurance companies have understood for many years that HIV is a long-term health condition and that people do very well on treatment, with almost normal life expectancies.