Guidance

Improving testing rates for blood-borne viruses in prisons and other secure settings

Guidance and additional resources about the 'opt-out' testing policy for blood-borne viruses in prisons and other secure settings.

Documents

Blood-borne virus testing in prisons: cost estimates

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Blood-borne virus testing in prisons opt out policy: Q and A for healthcare staff

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Blood-borne virus testing in prisons process: national algorithms for healthcare staff

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Blood-borne virus testing in prisons process: guidance notes for healthcare staff

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Blood-borne virus testing in prisons process: flash card for healthcare staff

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Blood-borne virus in prisons: educational resources for healthcare staff

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Details

Public Health England, the Hepatitis C Trust, British Liver Trust and National AIDS Trust recommend an ‘opt- out’ testing programme in prisons to improve the rates at which prisoners are tested for blood-borne viruses (BBVs).

In an opt-out programme, appropriately trained healthcare staff offer prisoners the option of BBV blood tests near reception, and at several points thereafter.

This model works in antenatal services in the community where both the offer and uptake of HIV testing has improved using this ‘opt-out’ method.

HCV Action hosts a list of secondary care prison contacts. For more information, visit the HCV Action website.

Updates to this page

Published 1 May 2014
Last updated 20 October 2014 + show all updates
  1. The Blood-borne virus testing in prisons opt out policy: Q and A for healthcare staff has been updated.

  2. First published.

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