Publish date: 28 July 2025
Tameside Hospital’s blood testing programme is helping more people get crucial support for viral hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV).
The testing programme launched in March this year. Anyone aged 16 or above who attends the emergency department and requires routine blood tests will now be tested for hepatitis B and C, as well as HIV, unless they choose to opt out.
Anyone whose test comes back positive will be offered treatment and referred to support services.
Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that can often go undetected for years, ultimately leading to liver damage and, in some cases, liver failure.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, there are around 270,000 people living with hepatitis B and around 56,000 people living with hepatitis C in the UK.
Early diagnosis means people can start treatment before health complications arise, allowing them to live long, healthy lives and prevent onward transmission.
The programme has also identified several people who had previously been diagnosed with viral hepatitis or HIV but had lost touch with support services. Locating these individuals through testing gives them another opportunity to access treatment and support.
Using an opt out approach means that the hospital can cast a wider net, reaching people who may be unlikely to come forward for testing by themselves.
Danielle Ashton, a matron who helped roll out the testing programme in the emergency department, says that while some people have questions about the reasons for testing, most are very supportive, and nobody has opted out yet.
“Staff in the emergency department have been so engaged and have worked incredibly hard to keep the blood-borne viruses testing programme running successfully,” Danielle said.
“Early detection is key. The sooner we can identify these viruses, the sooner we can get people on treatment to prevent further damage to their health.
“The number of lives that will be changed by this programme is unbelievable.”
