Overview
- Since May 2023, 105,998 people have requested the NHS self-test kits, according to officials.
- The programme has identified about 225 infections to date, with patients referred for NHS treatment.
- NHS England says 70% of positives are from the most deprived half of the population, with common risks including injecting drug use, needle sharing and a history of prison.
- Orders spiked after the Infected Blood Inquiry’s final report in May 2024, including 15,463 requests in the following week.
- A new GP registration question for certain-age newcomers about pre-1996 transfusions aims to locate any remaining infected-blood survivors.