World Hepatitis Day initiative aims to detect undiagnosed blood borne viruses across South East London

To mark World Hepatitis Day on 28 July, Synnovis and NHS Trust colleagues in South East London are expanding routine blood testing in a one-day initiative to include screening for blood borne viruses, helping more people access early diagnosis and care.

There are nearly two million new cases of hepatitis B and C each year. Hepatitis is one of the most deadly communicable diseases in the world and is the leading cause of liver cancer. Many people who live with it, or other blood borne viruses including HIV, often have no symptoms for years.

This year, we are supporting an initiative with colleagues from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, King’s College Hospital and local GP practices to automatically include screening for HIV and Hepatitis B and C when renal function tests are requested on this day.

Dr John Burke, Chief Medical Officer at SYNLAB UK&I, said: “Hepatitis is a disease that patients can live with for a long time without realising, but can cause irreversible damage to the liver.

“By including additional tests on World Hepatitis Day, we have an opportunity to identify patients who may not even know they are living with one of these conditions.

“This means they can access the correct treatment and prevent onward spread.”

There are thousands of renal profile tests for kidney function requested on an average day across South East London, but far less for blood borne viruses. Based on current prevalence and diagnosis rates, in just one day the initiative could identify approximately:

• 11 people living with hepatitis B
• two to three people living with hepatitis C
• one to two people living with HIV

Patients can choose to opt out of the screening if they wish.