Major Hepatitis C alert: gynaecologist could have infected thousands of women

Thousands of women across England are at risk of developing the blood disease hepatitis C after it was revealed that two patients have been infected by a retired gynaecologist and obstetrician.

A major alert is under way after it was discovered that the retired obstetrics and gynaecology worker unknowingly had the virus while employed by the NHS for decades.

It is known the healthcare worker infected two patients with the virus while working at a hospital in Wales, Public Health England (PHE) said.

At least 3,000 former patients are being contacted by letter informing them of the risk and a series of confidential helplines and a support service have been set up.

Several hundred patients in other areas of Wales who may have come into contact with the health worker are also being contacted.

In England around 400 former patients are being contacted, while urgent steps are being taken to check historic patient records in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This article is courtesy of The Telegraph.