GPs to Ask New Patients About Pre-1996 Blood Transfusions

New patients registering with a GP in England will be asked from next month if they had a blood transfusion before 1996. 

The move is part of an NHS drive to find undiagnosed patients affected by the contaminated blood scandal.

Only newly registering patients born on or before 31 December 1995 will be asked the question.

The initiative follows a recommendation made by Sir Brian Langstaff in the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published in May 2024.

Langstaff described the scandal as “the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS”. He called for a compensation scheme and action for “finding the undiagnosed”.

He recommended that patients who report having had a transfusion before1996 should be offered a blood test for hepatitis C.

Implementation and Reach

NHS England has issued guidance to GPs on how to introduce the questions, record responses, and support patients who may be at risk. The new question will appear in the online GP registration service from 16 June 2025. 

Around 840,000 patients register online with a GP each year. Almost half of them—about 400,000—were born before 1996 with a UK country of birth, and may be eligible for the new question.

The registration system will also prompt patients to consider reasons they may have received a transfusion, such as surgery, accidents, childbirth complications, or other treatments.

Simple, but Vital Change

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, called the addition a “simple change” and a vital step forward in identifying undiagnosed patients.

Rachel Halford, CEO of the Hepatitis C Trust, said: “A more proactive approach is critical to reaching and diagnosing those who remain unaware of their infection.”

NHS England said in 2022 that the NHS was on track to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025 – 5 years ahead of the World Health Organisation’s 2030 target.

According to the Hepatitis C in England 2024 report, the number of cases has fallen by nearly 57% since 2015. In 2023, an estimated 55,900 adults aged 16 years and over were living with chronic hepatitis C.

Mortality linked to the virus has also declined, with a rate of 0.41 per 100,000 population.

Treatment and Testing Access

Hepatitis C can be cured in more than 90% of cases using direct-acting antiviral treatments.

Monica Desai, head of the hepatitis section at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “It’s critical that those most at risk of hepatitis C continue to be tested so they can get access to life-saving treatments and clear the virus.” 

Testing is available at GP practices, sexual health clinics, and other NHS services. Patients can also order a free self-testing kit from hepctest.nhs.uk.

Dr Rob Hicks is a retired NHS doctor. A well-known TV and radio broadcaster, he has written several books and has regularly contributed to national newspapers, magazines, and online. He is based in the UK.