THOUSANDS of women who were treated by health workers suffering from hepatitis C are being offered screening amid fears they may have been infected.
The Health Protection Agency said around 3000 patients were being contacted after a review of case notes from 23 hospitals in England and five in Scotland.
The women, including patients from Ayrshire, have been sent a letter by their health trusts or boards asking them to take a blood test for the virus, which can cause liver disease.
The scare involves two infected health workers who were employed in the obstetric and gynaecology departments of UK hospitals.
A review has been undertaken to assess the risk posed to female patients who had procedures carried out at the hospitals concerned.
This has been completed and it's been recommended that 3000 women should be screened.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran has sent letters to 236 former patients. One of the infected healthcare workers was employed in Ayrshire between May 1990 and June 1991.
Dr Maida Smellie, a consultant in public health medicine, said: "We have carefully identified the patients who should be informed to offer them advice and screening.
"I understand that this news may cause anxiety to some people, but I want to emphasise the risk is very small, and we are offering screening as a precaution."
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