Public Health Wales apologises after six-year failure to test HIV patients for Hepatitis C
Public Health Wales has apologised after a technical fault meant some people living with HIV did not receive Hepatitis C tests they had requested through its postal sexual health testing service, in a failure that ran for nearly six years.
The error affected the Sexual Health Test and Post Service between May 2020 and 25 February 2026.
People who self-declared they were living with HIV when ordering a test through the service were not tested for Hepatitis C during that period, despite requesting it.
Public Health Wales identified and fixed the technical fault on 25 February 2026 and says everyone using the service from that date has been receiving the correct tests.
The organisation has not disclosed how many people were affected, saying only that it represents “a very small proportion” of the nearly 100,000 test requests the service processes across Wales each year.
It has commissioned a full independent external review of the Test and Post Service and is in the process of contacting those affected to offer them a test.
A free helpline has been set up on 0800 0352 877, open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and 9am to 4pm at weekends.
Dr Robin Howe, Director of Infection Services at Public Health Wales, said: “We understand this situation may have caused concern, and we want to sincerely apologise for any worry experienced.”
“The technical cause of the issue has now been fully resolved. We want to reassure everyone that this is a safe service through which to receive sexual health advice and testing. Your health matters, and we encourage anyone who needs sexual health services to continue using the Sexual Health Test and Post Service to protect their health.”
Public Health Wales said the risk of Hepatitis C for most people living with HIV is believed to be low, and that many people living with HIV are routinely tested for Hepatitis C as part of their regular care through other services.
Hepatitis C is a virus carried in the blood that causes liver inflammation and can lead to long-term liver damage.
It can be treated with a course of tablets, which Public Health Wales says clears the virus in the vast majority of patients within eight to twelve weeks.
Most people with Hepatitis C have no symptoms and would not know they had it without a test.
Anyone who believes they may be affected, or who has concerns, can call the helpline on 0800 0352 877 or visit shwales.online for more information.
Support is also available from sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust and through NHS 111.
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