NHS England to introduce new GP drive to find undiagnosed infected blood patients

NHS England has launched a new programme to help identify people who may have been infected with hepatitis C or HIV from blood transfusions or blood products on or before 31 December 1995. This measure aims to find undiagnosed cases stemming from the contaminated blood scandal, ensuring affected individuals receive appropriate testing and care.

According to NHS England, each year, around 400,000 people born before 1996 will now be asked by their GP, if they received a historic blood transfusion, with those who did then being offered a test for hepatitis C.

Patients will be able to order discreet, self-testing hepatitis C kits to complete at home, involving an easy finger prick blood sample which is then posted to a lab for analysis – or they can also access testing at GP surgeries, sexual health clinics and other services.

Hepatitis C is a virus that can infect the liver and if left untreated, can sometimes cause serious and potentially life-threatening liver damage over many years. 

We encourage residents to respond to the questions when asked, as this will help identify those at risk and ensure they receive the care and support they need.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, said: 

“By routinely checking their risk when anyone signs up to a new GP and offering fast hepatitis C tests where necessary, we will ensure any undiagnosed cases can be found and treated as quickly as possible, while enabling thousands more to receive the reassurance of a negative test.”

Introduction of new questions

The new questions will be first introduced in the online GP registration service from next month (16 June 2025) and follows a recommendation by Sir Brian Langstaff in the Infected Blood Inquiry report, published in May 2024.

NHS England has issued new guidance to GPs on introducing the questions, capturing responses and supporting patients where a blood transfusion and infection risk is indicated.

Only newly registered patients born on or before 31 December 1995 will be asked if they have had a blood transfusion.

We understand this may raise questions for local residents at Westminster. Healthwatch Westminster will continue to share updates and support the community as more information becomes available.

Read NHS England’s article for more information.