Expanded opt-out testing begins at Leeds hospitals as part of Fast-Track City commitment to end HIV, TB and viral hepatitis epidemics

An expanded programme of opt-out testing has begun at emergency departments at two Leeds hospitals as part of the city’s commitment to ending new HIV, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis infections by the end of the decade.

Beginning last month, the new programme sees anyone aged 16 and over who has blood tests taken as part of their emergency care at Leeds General Infirmary or St James’s University Hospital also being tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C unless they opt out and decline.

The testing at the two Leeds hospitals, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care to run for at least a year, is part of a national programme aiming to identify undiagnosed patients and providing support to treatments and care in order to prevent new transmissions and helping people live long and healthy lives.

The improved testing in Leeds was one of the aims when the city last year became the first in the Yorkshire and Humber region to become a ‘Fast-Track City’ as part of a global initiative to end the HIV, TB and viral hepatitis epidemics by 2030.

A report on progress achieved since making the declaration in Leeds will be discussed by senior councillors at the council’s executive board meeting at Civic Hall next week (Wednesday 16 October).

Figures for Leeds show through improving links between stakeholders and communities the city has achieved the international ’95-95-95’ target set down by the United Nations, with 95 per cent of people living with HIV being diagnosed, 99 per cent of those on HIV treatment and 98 per cent virally suppressed meaning they cannot pass the virus on.

The report also gives an update on a community grants programme launched in Leeds in February marking one year on since becoming a Fast-Track City.

Overseen by Leeds City Council, BHA Leeds Skyline and MESMAC, the programme awards grants of up to £700 to groups in Leeds to express their lived experiences especially around stigma and discrimination, and its impacts on people living with HIV, tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

So far six projects have been supported in the city, ranging from an informative and engaging podcast on the experiences of those living with HIV; a refugee community choir writing a song to release on World Aids Day (December 1^st) to fight stigma with music; A new poster campaign to be displayed in places of worship; An LGBT+ youth group making a new quilt to be displayed in local museums; and a knitting group making 40 bears to promote national HIV testing week in February.

All of these projects will be showcased at a celebration event hosted by BHA Leeds Skyline in the city next month. For more information contact BHA Leeds Skyline via Free Counselling, Disability Support & HIV Testing in Leeds | BHA (thebha.org.uk) 

Leeds City Council executive member for equality, health and wellbeing Councillor Fiona Venner said:

“This report highlights the significant progress achieved in Leeds since becoming a Fast-Track City, with all skakeholders, partners and communities working closer together in this vital area. Much has been achieved but we know much more needs to be done achieve the target of zero infections, deaths and stigma around HIV, TB and viral hepatitis by 2030.

“The recently-begun enhanced testing at the LGI and St James’s has a vital role to play in helping identify anyone undiagnosed so all the available support they need can be provided to help people live long and healthy lives. If everyone in the city and beyond works together on this, I am confident the zero target can and will be reached.”

Dr Sarah Schoeman, Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) Consultant Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and Leeds Fast-Track City Leadership Group Chair said:

“Normalising blood-borne virus testing is essential - it saves lives and helps tackle the stigma associated with these infections. We are so pleased and proud that we are able to offer routine testing for these important infections within our Leeds emergency departments again. This initiative is another significant step towards Leeds reaching our Fast-Track City goals of zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, zero new viral hepatitis infections, zero new TB infections and zero stigma related to all of these infections in Leeds by 2030.”

Programme Lead at BHA Skyline (and Fast-Track City Leeds group member) Pesha Thornton said:

“The community grants have provided individuals and groups with lived experience a platform and opportunity to explore how they would challenge stigma, connect with peers and elevate their voices and experiences and to feel empowered to explore their creativity.  This programme has been beneficial for those with lived experience, as most of the people BHA Skyline supports have experienced HIV related discrimination and/or feel a sense of self stigma. 

“It is so much more than the finished products, it is the journeys and the bravery of the individuals who have been awarded the grants to share their difficulties and triumphs encapsulating them into a piece of work to challenge the stigma that is still very much present. The community grants projects will be launched at the Fast-Track City event hosted by BHA Skyline, in addition to celebrating and sharing the work from partners across Leeds and West Yorkshire.”

To see the report being considered by the executive board, visit Council and democracy (leeds.gov.uk) (agenda item seven).

For more information on the community grants programme in Leeds visit Fast Track Cities Leeds Community Grants - BHA for Equality (thebha.org.uk)

To find out more about the Fast-Track Cities visit: Welcome to Fast-Track Cities | Fast-Track Cities

Notes to editors:

• For more information relating to HIV and support for people living with HIV in Leeds please contact Jeni Hirst, Director of BHA Leeds Skyline on 0113 2449767 or jeni@thebha.org.uk
• Visit Yorkshire MESMAC’s website to book a HIV test and for more information about their services relating to HIV. Or contact Tom Doyle, Chief Executive of Yorkshire MESMAC on 0113 244 4209 / 07771 931 421 or t.doyle@mesmac.co.uk.
• Information on HIV testing sessions in Leeds can be found at www.startswithme.org.uk or www.mesmac.co.uk  
• Leeds Sexual Health is a partnership between Leeds Community Healthcare Trust in partnership with Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Leeds GP Confederation and Volition – Forum Central (the collective voice for the health and care third sector in Leeds) It provides all methods of contraception and testing and treatments for all sexually transmitted infections. For more information relating to the Leeds Sexual Health Service contact lch.comms@nhs.net (LCH).

• Fast-Track Cities Leeds can be followed on X @LeedsFTC or contacted on fast-track-city@leeds.gov.uk
• Information about World AIDS day can be found at www.worldaidsday.org
• Please find the NHS England research on the programme here: NHS England » Thousands of new HIV and Hepatitis cases identified thanks to NHS testing pilot
• UKHSA has recently conducted an analysis of the initial research project and will continue to work with NIHR and NHS England to evaluate the public health impact of this approach.
• Announcement - Thousands diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis B and C following programme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Research - Bloodborne viruses: opt-out testing in emergency departments - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Information about World AIDS day can be found at www.worldaidsday.org
• Please find the NHS England research on the programme here: NHS England » Thousands of new HIV and Hepatitis cases identified thanks to NHS testing pilot
• UKHSA has recently conducted an analysis of the initial research project and will continue to work with NIHR and NHS England to evaluate the public health impact of this approach.
• Announcement - Thousands diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis B and C following programme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Research - Bloodborne viruses: opt-out testing in emergency departments - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

ENDS

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