Blood tests HIV Hep B & C before surgery (UK)

[Chara]

Hi,

The FT have asked for blood tests to be carried out prior to surgery including HIV Hep B & C. I have asked my GP and he has said that is not something that they normally do and suggested I give blood and they will test then. Except as I am on Anti Androgens I cannot give blood. So I thought about the Sexual Health clinic and they will test but will not give you a report saying that you are clear, they will only tell you if you are positive.

Has anyone else had this problem? If so how have you got around it?

[Charlotte_W]

I'm in the same position as you with trying to get these tests done for the Facial Team. I was on the phone to my GP last week sorting out the tests and regarding the HIV and Hep B & C tests he said initially he wasn't sure he could do it at his practice. However he checked on the ordering system and he was allowed to put the order in, however he said he wouldn't be surprised if they don't process it as I'm not a high risk patient.

I plan to do the blood test in early July, so I'll find out then if it went through. I'm guessing if it doesn't go through then I'll have to pay to have it done privately somewhere.

Out of interest do you already know your blood type?
I'm trying to find my blood type out for the FT form they have and I'm having no luck. My GP can't test for it, the DIY home kit I got off the internet was inconclusive and I can't donate blood so can't find it out that way.

[Cindy]

I'm not sure what the problem is. These are normal pre surgery screening tests and carried out by all pathology testing labs.

Your blood type is also a normal screen, I doubt any surgeon would take your opinion on what you blood group is they would depend on the testing lab.  Most surgeons would request a unit of packed cells on standby for surgery. No matter what surgery, it is routine.

[Charlotte_W]

I'm not sure what the problem is. These are normal pre surgery screening tests and carried out by all pathology testing labs.

Your blood type is also a normal screen, I doubt any surgeon would take your opinion on what you blood group is they would depend on the testing lab.  Most surgeons would request a unit of packed cells on standby for surgery. No matter what surgery, it is routine.

Well the GPs are part of the NHS and if this was an NHS surgery then I'm sure there are procedures in place to do these screenings, but they'd most likely be done at a hospital, as opposed to a doctors practice.

As we are havigng surgery privately I think there's only so far GPs are willing to bend within their system to try and help out.

[Chara]

In the end my GP has bent the rules a bit and has now authorised the hep b &  c and HIS,  what he cannot get past without raising questions is the blood group but FT have said that they will do this on the day before operation.

So all good now.

[Charlotte_W]

what he cannot get past without raising questions is the blood group but FT have said that they will do this on the day before operation.

Excellent! I emailed one of the Facial Team patient coordinators about this on Monday. Hopefully they'll eventually get back to me and say the same :-)

[Rachel_JP]

I had exactly the same issue WRT blood grouping as GPs can't order it, and FT were happy to deal with it themselves (although I have bought one of the self testing kits out of interest). An NHS sexual health clinic should be able to do a HIV test.

Rachel

[Chara]

Sexual Health clinics will test as will Blood Donation centres but what they will not normally do is provide a report stating that you are clear. The SH clinic can provide a report for £30 but I am not sure what that would state.

Not to worry in my case as GP agreed in the end to sanction the tests apart from the blood group.