TWO hospitals have recalled 223 patients for blood tests after a surgeon was diagnosed with HIV. Some patients are being called in to make sure they haven't contracted the virus The locum doctor, who has not been named, worked at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust for two years between 2013 and 2015. HIV - human immunodeficiency virus - is an incurable blood-borne virus that attacks the immune system and is found in the bodily fluids of those infected with the disease. The doctor was not known to be infected when he worked for the trust. Medical chiefs have warned there is a small risk patients operated on by him could have contracted the virus. The trust - which runs both the Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital - has written to patients affected recalling them for testing at emergency clinics. Medical director Dr Stephen Fowlie said: "The risk that any patients has been infected by transmission of the virus from this doctor is extremely low. Patients of the Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital could be at risk "However, because the doctor's diagnosis was unknown during their employment with us, we are contacting patients who had had at risk operations involving this doctor to advise they return to hospital for a blood test as a precautionary measure. “We are contacting patients who had had at risk operations involving this doctor” Dr Stephen Fowlie "Transmission of the virus between an infected healthcare worker and a patient with an open wound can only occur if health workers themselves have an injury with bleeding when they are delivering patient care. "There is no evidence this happened to this doctor in any patient contact.'' Dr David Levey, regional medical director for NHS England Midlands and East, said: "We understand that this will be a worrying time for patients who are being invited for precautionary testing and their families. Dr Stephen Fowlie assured patients the risk is 'extremely low' "However clinical evidence shows that the risk of infection is extremely low and it is highly unlikely that any of the patients being contacted will have been infected with HIV. "Advice and counselling is available for those affected by this recall, and we could encourage them to access this support. It is our first priority to identify and provide reassurance to the individuals being contacted at this time.'' Source
