Hepatitis C alert sparked by worker

A MAJOR health alert has been sparked, after it was discovered that a retired obstetrics and gynaecology worker unknowingly had Hepatitis C while employed by the NHS for decades.

By The Newsroom

Published 12th Sep 2013, 01:01 BST

The person in question worked at several hospitals across the UK, including Doncaster Gate Hospital in Rotherham and Grimsby General Hospital, between September 1975 and December 1983.

A helpline has been launched on 0800 121 4400 for concerned women who may have given birth, or had an obstetric or gynaecological operation, at one of the 16 hospitals in question.

They will be offered advice and a blood test for Hepatitis C, although the risk of infection is described as “very small.”

Dr Paul Cosford, medical director at Public Health England, said: “We have worked hard to identify women in England who might have been at risk of contracting infection with Hepatitis C from this healthcare worker and are contacting them to offer advice.”