Opt-Out HIV and STI testing to be offered at Royal Berkshire Hospital's Emergency Department

More patients in Berkshire will be benefit from access to HIV and Hepatitis treatment as Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust’s Emergency Department begins routine testing for adults. 

Starting from March 2025, all patients aged sixteen or older who receive a blood test at Royal Berkshire Hospital’s Emergency Department, will also be tested for HIV as well as Hepatitis B and C. Patients can opt-out of testing by informing a member of Emergency Department staff.

Any patients who test positive will then be contacted within fourteen days and referred directly onto treatment to the Trust’s Sexual Health service – the Florey Clinic – for information, support and treatment. 

Royal Berkshire Hospital is one of forty-seven Emergency Departments nationally which will be providing opt-out testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Reading is in a high-prevalence area for blood-borne viruses such as HIV. In 2023, the number of HIV diagnoses in England increased 15% from 2,451 to 2,810.   

Janet Lippett, Chief Medical Officer for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Huge strides have been made over the last decades for both HIV and STI treatment, so we’re really proud to now be offering routine testing in our Emergency Department. It will make sure less people go undiagnosed, and more patients can access the care and treatment they need.”  

For any questions about the study, please contact: bbv-ed-optout@royalberkshire.nhs.uk.