Source: NHS Wales
This report describes the evaluation of the first known offer of syphilis, HIV and viral hepatitis testing within a probation delivery unit (PDU) in Wales. It aimed to answer two objectives, firstly, is it possible to deliver testing for syphilis, HIV and viral hepatitis within a PDU and what resource does it require? Secondly, does testing in a PDU find new cases of syphilis, HIV or viral hepatitis and can these be followed up and treated?
Probation services in Swansea agreed to the use of their premises for Public Health Wales and Swansea Bay University Health Board to offer testing for HBV, HCV, HIV and syphilis as a pilot project during the month of May 2023. Testing was offered to all probation service users attending the premises using either a finger-prick dried blood spot test (DBST), oral swabs (OS) or finger-prick microcontainer (MC). Clinical specialist teams followed up patients for any necessary confirmatory bloods or to start treatment. Treatment for viral hepatitis was led by the hepatology specialist team within Swansea Bay University Health Board. Follow up for HIV and syphilis was led by Swansea Bay University Health Board sexual health service.