As part of the NHS drive to find undiagnosed patients who are not affected by contaminated blood scandals, new patients with GP surgery will be asked if they had had a blood transfusion before 1996.
Every year, approximately 400,000 people born before 1996 were asked if they had received a historic blood transfusion, and were then provided with a test for hepatitis C (infected blood).
Patients can order a modest self-test hepatitis C kit to complete at home. This includes a simple finger-stick blood sample. This blood sample can be posted to the lab for analysis and also accessed tests at GP surgery, sexual clinics and other services.
Health Minister Ashley Dalton explained the new initiative: “The infected blood scandal is one of the most serious injustices the country has ever seen. The government has clearly seen nothing of this nature and must take concrete action.
“This initiative will allow patients to be asked about their history and have access to the tests they need if they are at risk for hepatitis C.”
Hidden dangers of hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a virus that can infect the liver and, if left untreated, can cause serious and potentially life-threatening liver damage over the years.
In many cases, there are no significant symptoms until the liver is already severely damaged. In other words, many people are infected without realizing it.
However, once diagnosed, hepatitis C can be treated well by taking direct agent for several weeks and curing more than 10 infected blood patients.
“Thanks to great advances in treatment, hepatitis C can be cured quickly with a short course of tablets,” said Rachel Halford, CEO of Hepatitis C Trust.
“A more aggressive approach is important for reaching and diagnosing people who are unaware of the infection.”
New guidance for patients and GPS
New questions will be initially featured on the online GP registration service starting next month and will follow recommendations by Ir Brian Langstaff in the Infected Blood Research Report issued in May 2024.
NHS England has issued new guidance to the GPS on the introduction of questions, obtaining answers and assisting patients when blood transfusion and blood infection risks are indicated.
Only newly enrolled patients born before December 31, 1995 will be asked if they have a blood transfusion.
New questions remind patients of possible reasons for the transfusion, including accidents, complications during childbirth, surgery, or other treatment.
The world’s safest NHS blood supply
Strict modern safety standards continue to ensure that the NHS blood supply is now the safest in the world.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, explained:
“The NHS is dedicated to implementing research recommendations and this simple change to the patient’s GP registration process is an important step forward in ensuring that people who are not affected by contaminated blood are not diagnosed and unsupported.”
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