Croydon Team wins National Patient Safety Award for opt-out HIV testing initiative
A huge congratulations to the team behind the rollout of opt-out HIV testing in our Emergency Department, who have won the Royal College of Physicians’ Excellence in Patient Care Award 2025 in the Patient Safety category.
The award recognises the team’s innovative and impactful approach, which has delivered clear benefits including earlier diagnosis, shorter hospital stays, lower transmission rates and reduced overall healthcare costs.
The winning project is the result of close collaboration between our HIV team, Emergency Department, Digital Services, and other key partners. Judges were particularly impressed by the project’s simplicity, strong execution, and measurable impact on patient safety, mortality and morbidity.
They praised the Trust’s commitment to the initiative, commenting:
“This submission stood out because of their longstanding commitment to the project and for the sheer simplicity of the premise…
There were tangible patient safety, mortality and morbidity improvements. A great example of a simple idea, resolutely executed with staff support, leading to improved recognition of patients needing treatment and ensuring they receive it in a timely manner.”
Opt-out HIV testing has been a routine part of care in our Emergency Department since May 2020.
In a borough with one of the highest HIV rates in the UK, this approach has increased earlier identification and treatment leading to significant improvement in outcomes and reduced hospitalisation.
Patients who test positive are referred directly to our dedicated HIV team for further support and ongoing care.
This national recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and the real difference they are making to patient outcomes in Croydon. Congratulations again to the team!