All new recruits to the NHS who will be involved in exposure-prone procedures will be tested for HIV and hepatitis C, the Department of Health said today.
The statement comes in draft guidance on Health clearance for serious communicable diseases: new health care workers, and the Department of Health has invited comments by April 30.
All recruits, whether or not they are involved in exposure-prone procedures, will be offered tests for HIV and hepatitis C. Anyone within the NHS moving to a post where they perform exposure-prone procedures for the first time will also be required to take the tests, as will medical students returning from electives in countries with high HIV prevalence.
The draft guidance is now available at the Department of Health website.