HIV services

Overview

Routine testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C

From April 4, 2022, all patients over the age of 16 years who visit a London emergency department and require a blood test, will be tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C.

We already screen for several infections or conditions when we take your blood, and these additional checks are now part of our routine screening programme at the Royal Free Hospital and Barnet Hospital.

This is in line with guidance from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Public Health England and NHS England and is part of the government’s commitment to reducing HIV transmission to zero by 2030.

Early diagnosis of blood-borne viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and C means people can access the treatment they need sooner and expect to live long and healthy lives.

Many people living with HIV do not know they have the virus as it can take years for symptoms to develop. By testing in this way, treatment can be given sooner and prevent the virus from being passed on.

If you do not wish to be screened for these conditions when you attend one of our emergency departments, please let a member of staff know. This will not affect the care you receive from us.

For more information on routine testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C in our emergency departments, please see our patient leaflet which is available in Arabic, English, English in braille, English large print, Persian, Polish, Romanian, Russian. English large print and English in braille are available on request from the department. 

 

We treat a wide range of HIV positive people, from all walks of life and at all stages of the illness – if you’re concerned you may have HIV, early symptoms of HIV or have been exposed to HIV then we’d be very happy to help you.

Our service is open-access, which means that you do not need to be referred to the clinic by a GP or other healthcare professional. We provide a confidential service, which means we will not notify your GP, partner, friends or family without your permission. 

We provide free, confidential testing as well as advice, counselling and treatment for anyone affected by HIV. You can be tested for HIV at the Ian Charleson Day Centre at the Royal Free Hospital. You do not need to make an appointment to have a test and can simply walk in during clinic hours. The test involves a finger prick and the result is available in minutes.

If you would like to find out more, or are diagnosed HIV positive and would like to make an appointment, please contact us on  020 3758 2029 or email rf.hivinfo@nhs.net .

For updates on our services and other HIV related issues you can follow us on Twitter @ICDCRoyalFree.

Contact

Do you have an appointment?

Find your ward

  • Ian Charleson Day Centre

    Royal Free Hospital
    Pond Street
    London
    NW3 2QG

    Appointment booking and enquiries: 020 375 82029

    Option 1 – Reception, appointments and general enquiries

    Option 2 – Nurses Station

    Option 3 – Sexual Health test results and enquiries

    Option 4 – ICDC Pharmacy

    Option 5 – ICDC Secretaries

    Helpful numbers for existing patients:
    Emergency/out of hours (ward 11 West): 020 7830 2712
    Community nurses: 020 7830 2682
    Research nurses: 020 7472 6232
    Healthcare at home team: 020 7472 6726
    Home delivery (freephone book/check delivery): 0800 783 0211
    Psychology: 020 7830 2445

    Alternatively email any enquiries to:  rf.hivinfo@nhs.net

Hospital locations

Referrals

Referral details

Our service is open-access, which means that you do not need to be referred to the clinic by a GP or other healthcare professional. We provide a confidential service, which means we will not notify your GP, partner, friends or family without your permission. If you are diagnosed HIV positive and would like to make an appointment please contact us on 020 375 82029.

The Team

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