A Black Country HIV team has achieved more than 47,000 Blood Borne Virus (BBV) tests through a pioneering programme across two hospitals.

Since the launch of routine opt out testing in October 2024, every adult attending Walsall Manor Hospital or New Cross Hospital’s Emergency Department in Wolverhampton is automatically offered testing for HIV and Hepatitis infections.

The HIV Team at Wolverhampton’s Embrace Sexual Health Service, which is leading the programme, has already processed more than 28,000 tests in Wolverhampton and 19,000 in Walsall, increasing capacity for early detection.

This automatic testing is part of a national NHS initiative to carry out testing in local areas where these infections have a high prevalence. Patients, who are aged 18 and over, can choose to opt out if they do not wish to be tested.
Consultants in Walsall and Wolverhampton have welcomed the initiative, and say it will help earlier diagnosis and access to treatment, saving lives.

Thousands of people in England are thought to be living with undiagnosed blood–borne viruses (BBV) – HIV, hepatitis B or C.
If diagnosed at an earlier stage all these infections can be treated (or cured in the case of hepatitis C) reducing the risk of developing serious illness or complications (such as liver cirrhosis and cancer or life-threatening HIV-related illness).

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) provides the Embrace service which offers HIV testing and treatment, STI screening and treatment, PEPSE (post exposure prophylaxis), contraception, outreach provision and other support.

Lovejoy Guinto, HIV Clinical Nurse Specialist Lead, said: “Through the team’s hard work and collaboration with the ED, Wolverhampton and Walsall are not only diagnosing HIV and Hepatitis infections earlier, but ensuring that individuals are supported into long term, specialist care.”

Find out more about Embrace and the HIV service at www.embracewolverhampton.nhs.uk