UK GPs will now screen for undiagnosed hepatitis C in patients who received blood transfusions before 1996, addressing a scandal that infected over 30,000 people and claimed more than 3,000 lives.

At a Glance

  • Starting June 16, 2025, GP registration forms will include questions about pre-1996 blood transfusions to identify potential undiagnosed hepatitis C cases
  • This initiative follows recommendations from the Infected Blood Inquiry, investigating what's been called "one of the gravest injustices this country has ever seen"
  • Modern hepatitis C treatments can cure over 90% of cases, making early detection crucial
  • Before 1996, blood donations weren't routinely tested for hepatitis C, putting transfusion recipients at risk
  • Free home testing kits for hepatitis C are available to anyone over 18 in England

A Hidden Health Crisis Decades in the Making

The National Health Service is taking decisive action to identify potentially thousands of Britons unknowingly living with hepatitis C contracted through blood transfusions before 1996. Starting June 16, 2025, every GP registration form across England will include a specific question about pre-1996 blood transfusions, directing those with positive histories to hepatitis C testing. This screening initiative aims to identify patients who may have received contaminated blood products during accidents, childbirth complications, or medical treatments before routine testing began.

The measure comes in response to recommendations from the Infected Blood Inquiry, which investigated how more than 30,000 NHS patients received infected blood products before 1996. This scandal, involving transmission of hepatitis C, HIV, and hepatitis B, has resulted in over 3,000 deaths. The inquiry, chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff, began in 2018 and examined millions of pieces of evidence, ultimately concluding that these infections were not accidental but the result of systematic failures in blood safety protocols.

Understanding Hepatitis C: A Silent Threat

Hepatitis C is a virus that primarily affects the liver, potentially causing serious and permanent damage if left untreated. In 2019, approximately 118,000 people in the UK had chronic hepatitis C infection. The virus spreads through blood-to-blood contact, with pre-1996 blood transfusions representing a significant risk factor for many who remain unaware of their infection status. Early symptoms can be mild or nonexistent, allowing the virus to silently damage the liver for decades.

Left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. However, modern medicine offers hope. With current treatments, more than 90% of people with hepatitis C can be completely cured, allowing most to have a normal life expectancy. This makes early diagnosis through initiatives like the GP registration screening crucial for preventing long-term health complications and further transmission of the virus.

A National Response to Historical Injustice

The contaminated blood scandal represents one of Britain's worst public health failures. The inquiry found that government and NHS officials attempted to cover up the scale of the disaster for decades. Particularly affected were people with hemophilia who received infected blood products like Factor 8 and 9 concentrates. The inquiry's final report made twelve recommendations, including compensation for victims and measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

NHS England has made free hepatitis C home testing kits available to anyone over 18 in England. Testing can be done through a simple blood test at a GP surgery or through a finger-prick test at home. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, emphasized that the GP registration question will ensure undiagnosed cases can be found and treated quickly, while providing reassurance to those who test negative. For those over 40 who received transfusions before testing became routine, this initiative could be lifesaving.

Taking Action Now

Anyone who received a blood transfusion before 1996 is encouraged to speak with their GP about hepatitis C testing, even before the new registration forms are implemented. The NHS guidance states: "Where patients indicate that they have had a blood transfusion before 1996 and have not previously been tested for hepatitis C, GPs and health care professionals should follow this up." Early diagnosis and treatment remain the most effective ways to prevent liver damage and transmission to others.

This initiative demonstrates how understanding past medical interventions can significantly impact current health status. For the thousands potentially living with undiagnosed hepatitis C from decades-old transfusions, this screening could be the difference between progressive liver disease and a complete cure. The success of this program will depend on public awareness and the willingness of those with pre-1996 transfusion histories to come forward for testing.