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Communications Department
Hayfield House
Kirkcaldy
Fife KY2 5AH
www.nhsfife.scot.nhs.uk
Date: 11 September 2013
Enquiries to:
Communications
Telephone: 01592 647971
Press Release
Patients to be contacted as Hepatitis C ‘look back’ conducted
A retired healthcare worker who worked in Obstetrics and Gynaecological
Departments in NHS Fife for a short period from March to July 1981 has been
diagnosed with Hepatitis C infection.
As a result, a ‘look back’ exercise is now under way to review patient records and
identify individuals who could potentially have been exposed to the virus.
Transmission of Hepatitis C from healthcare workers to a patient is rare and the risk
of infection is very small.
Similar ‘look back’ exercises are also taking place in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland.
Dr Edward Coyle, NHS Fife Director of Public Health, said: “We are reviewing
patients’ information for the timeframe, however, given that this occurred in Fife over
30 years ago it is proving challenging to source detailed patient records, particularly
as names and addresses may have changed. An extensive verification exercise is
ongoing.
“Patients identified as having a risk of exposure will be written to and offered further
advice and Hepatitis C screening.
“It is important to note that the risk remains small and screening is offered as a
precautionary measure.”
Women who are concerned that they might have been exposed to the infection can
phone a confidential helpline on 08000 858531. The helpline will be open from 8am
to 8pm providing information and advice. Where indicated staff will help to arrange an
appointment for counselling and a blood test.
Dr Coyle continued: “It is important that patients who could potentially have been
exposed to the virus are identified so that we can offer them testing.
“Hepatitis C is not uncommon – as many as 1 in 250 people carry the infection in the
UK - and it does not automatically lead to health problems.“
The confidential helpline number - 08000 858531 – will be open from Wednesday,
11 September from 8am to 8pm, for a week initially.
ENDS/Notes to editors:
1) Due to strict patient confidentiality we are unable to name the healthcare
worker
2) Hospitals and dates where the healthcare worker practiced:
England
- Grimsby General Hospital (3 Sept 1975 to 6 March 1978) – now Diana Princess
of Wales Hospital
- Burnley General Hospital (5 to 30 April 1978)
- Bedford Hospital (3 July to 6 August 1978 & 4 to 19 November 1978)
- City General Hospital, Carlisle (31 Aug 1978 to 17 Sep 1978 and 12 April to
2 May 1982) – now Cumberland Infirmary
- Herts and Essex Hospital (4 December 1978 to 10 January 1979)
- All Saints Hospital, Kent (5 to 16 November 1979) – now Medway Maritime
Hospital
- Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport (20 July to 2 November 1981)
- Doncaster Gate Hospital, Rotherham (23 July to 18 August 1982) – now
Rotheram Hospital
- Royal Victoria Hospital, Boscombe (27 Sep to 10 Oct 1982) – now the Royal
Bournemouth Hospital
- Royal General Hospital, Treliske (8 Feb to 19 March 1983 & 9 May to 21 June
1983) – now the Royal Cornwall Hospital
- Peterborough District Hospital (28 Nov 1983 to 2 Dec 1983) – now
Peterborough City Hospital
Wales
- Wrexham Maelor Hospital (May 15 to June 27 1978)
- East Glamorgan Hospital (May 28 1984 to July 17 1984)
-
Caerphilly District Miners’ Hospital (May 1984 to July 2003)
Scotland
-
Fife Hospitals (25 March to 3 July 1981)
Northern Ireland
-
The Mid Ulster Hospital (11 January to 4 November 1979)
3) - Hepatitis C is a virus which can lead to inflammation of the liver. In most
cases, the virus is asymptomatic, that is, most infected people do not realise they
have the infection and suffer no noticeable symptoms. However, in other people,
symptoms can include feeling sick and suffering abdominal pain and jaundice.
The infection can cause chronic liver disease.
-
Some of those patients infected can become carriers of the Hepatitis C virus,
which can lead to an increased lifetime risk of liver disease. That is why it is
important for doctors to test the blood of patients who may be at risk of having
been infected.
-
The Hepatitis C virus is mainly transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, and
more rarely through sexual intercourse. The virus cannot be transmitted
through social contact, kissing or sharing food and drink. In the UK,
intravenous drug use is the commonest risk for infection with Hepatitis C.