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

Since 2014, Public Health England (PHE) Health and Justice has been supporting HM Prison & Probation Service (previously the National Offender Management Service) and National Health Services (NHS) England in the delivery of opt-out testing for blood-borne viruses (BBV) in all adult prisons in England. The evaluations include specific reports of offer and uptake of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing within 72 hours of reception to prison as well as referral for treatment for those found infected. These data show that in England in 2016/17, 16 321 tests were conducted for hepatitis B infection, 21 268 for hepatitis C infection and 37 474 for HIV infection. The proportion of new receptions receiving tests for HCV increased from 5.3% in 2010/2011 to 11.5% in 2015/2016.