ABSTRACT
In 2004 the English Health Protection Agency estimated that there were about 16000 people living in the UK who were unaware that they were infected with HIV. Knowledge of the prevalence of undiagnosed infection had previously led to the introduction of an antenatal screening program. In 2001 and 2004 the English/Welsh and Scottish Sexual Health Strategies respectively set targets for an increase in HIV testing by GUM clinics and other settings where STIs are commonly managed. One outcome of these targets has been a debate about how best to increase testing rates. When HIV tests first became available in 1985, there were no effective treatments and to have a test that came back positive was tantamount to a death sentence with an unknown length of time on death row. Some people alleged that they were tested against their will and there was even talk of charging phlebotomists with assault. It was therefore particularly important to gain informed consent for the test.
