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Innovative research project wins prestigious award: James Cook

Hannah Williams presenting at BASHH conference and virology team photo

The James Cook University Hospital team (emergency department, pathology research team and virology lab) won a prestigious award at the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) conference for the initiative which involves testing for blood borne viruses (BBV) and syphilis when people have any blood samples taken in the emergency department.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was the first unit to include syphilis screening.

To date 142 patients have tested positive for one of the infections allowing early medical intervention. Most patients have been contacted, and, where necessary, started treatment. This has also, through treatment and partner notification, led to reduced transmission of these infections.

The project has shown that there are groups of people, especially those living with hepatitis C and syphilis, who have not been reached through conventional screening efforts (for example, in drug rehabilitation venues, sexual health clinics or general practices) however they attend the emergency department and can be identified via screening there.

The project was presented by Hannah Williams, a foundation year two doctor, who won the prize for the most publishable work.

David Chadwick, consultant in infectious diseases said:

“We are delighted that our team’s efforts have been recognised through this award and we have been able to show that screening people for these infections in A&E works, particularly in groups of people who don’t access other services for screening.”

Blood-borne viruses – BBV (HIV, hepatitis B/C) and syphilis infections are more common in deprived and marginalised populations. HIV and hepatitis B are disproportionally found in African and Asian minorities, hepatitis C in IV drug users and some ethnic minorities, and syphilis in those of lower socioeconomic groups.

In Teesside, levels of hepatitis C and syphilis are above national averages. Late diagnoses of BBV infection are relatively common with poor outcomes such as AIDS, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Since January this year screening for these infections in James Cook’s emergency department started, as part of a service evaluation project based on similar projects in London and other large cities.

Following the presentation, several other units around the country have confirmed they plan to implement a similar screening programme for syphilis along with BBVs based on this project. This success of the pilot project is a result of staff in emergency department, virology lab and pathology research team, as well as the centre for clinical infection and local Teesside Sexual Health services working collectively together.

Sarah Essex, research team lead for South Tees said:

“This excellent project is the result of a great collaboration across research, clinical and pathology services within the trust and the local area. I’m really proud of all the teams for coming together to deliver this study for our patients, highlighting the importance of BBV and syphilis screening and setting an example for other centres.”