8,000 Patients Facing Blood Test After Former NHS Worker Tests Positive For Hepatitis C

More than 8,000 patients across the UK have been urged to arrange a blood test after potentially being treated by a former NHS worker who tested positive for Hepatitis C. According to ITV News, more than 8,000 people who may have been treated by the former healthcare worker between 1982 and January 2008 have been contacted. In a statement, the NHS added that the member of staff who worked across two hospitals in Lanarkshire, stopped working immediately after being diagnosed with the infection in 2008. They have not returned to clinical practice. Although the trust had previously contacted the UK Advisory Panel at the time, it was decided that a patient notification exercise was not necessary. This however changed when two people last year “probably” contracted hepatitis C from the worker. The trust's medical director, Dr Iain Wallace added: ‘We would like to reassure people that the likelihood of patients acquiring the virus from a surgical procedure carried out by the healthcare worker is low. We know that some people receiving the letter may be anxious about what this means for them. We have apologised to patients for any concern that may be caused by this situation. We are committed to supporting patients and are ensuring they have every opportunity to get information about hepatitis C, the testing process and the situation in general. We are also putting on additional clinics locally to make it as straightforward and convenient as possible for people to get tested.’