A major study published in The Lancet HIV has highlighted the life-saving and cost-effective impact of routine HIV testing in emergency departments, reinforcing the success of Greater Manchester’s opt-out testing programme, which has identified more than 200 people previously unaware they were living with HIV.
National research reinforces local success
The research, conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit at the University of Bristol, found that the diagnoses made through England’s emergency department opt-out testing programme are expected to prevent HIV-related deaths and reduce onward transmission over the next two decades, while representing excellent value for the NHS.
Greater Manchester’s NHS Blood Borne Virus Opt-Out Testing Programme continues to transform early diagnosis and treatment of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, with more than 1.6 million tests conducted across the city-region’s emergency departments since the programme began.
Early diagnosis of HIV means people can access effective treatment, live long and healthy lives, and cannot pass HIV on to sexual partners once the virus is suppressed through treatment. Together with the support provided by NHS teams, George House Trust peer support workers and wider voluntary sector partners, the programme is helping Greater Manchester improve health outcomes and contribute to Greater Manchester’s ambition of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030.
More than 1.6 million tests across Greater Manchester
The programme, which is now live in nine Greater Manchester emergency departments, routinely offers HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) testing to adults having blood tests in emergency departments unless they choose to opt out.
Since the launch of the national programme in 2022, Greater Manchester has seen:
- More than 200 people newly diagnosed with HIV
- Nearly 130 people previously diagnosed with HIV who were no longer in care identified and many reconnected to specialist services
- Nearly 700 new hepatitis B diagnoses
- Nearly 570 hepatitis C diagnoses
- More than 1.6 million tests conducted
The programme is helping to tackle one of the key challenges in ending new HIV transmissions: identifying people who are living with HIV but remain undiagnosed. Earlier diagnosis means people can start treatment sooner, improving their health outcomes and preventing onward transmission.
Dave Boulger, Associate Director of Population Health, NHS Greater Manchester, said:
“These findings provide powerful evidence of the benefits of routine opt-out testing. In Greater Manchester, we have seen first-hand how this programme is reaching people who may never otherwise have tested for HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Every new diagnosis represents an opportunity to improve someone’s quality of life, connect them to our world-class specialist care and prevent future ill-health. This is life changing and contributes to our ambition to have no new transmission of HIV in Greater Manchester by 2030.”
Supporting people beyond diagnosis
Beyond diagnosis, the programme ensures people receive immediate support to engage with treatment and care. Individuals newly diagnosed with HIV in Greater Manchester are offered support from specialist NHS services and peer support workers from George House Trust.
Drawing on lived experience, George House Trust peer support workers provide practical and emotional support following diagnosis, helping people understand their diagnosis, navigate services, access wider support and build confidence as they start treatment. This support plays a vital role in ensuring people remain engaged in care and are able to live well with HIV.
Darren Knight, Chief Executive, George House Trust, said:
“George House Trust is committed to ensuring that everyone living with HIV has access to the treatment and care they need. In 2026, HIV is a manageable long-term condition, but not everyone knows that. Our team ensures that nobody has to face a new HIV diagnosis or their HIV journey alone. By providing understanding, reassurance and practical support, we help people navigate their diagnosis, access treatment and look forward to the future with confidence.”
