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| Hepatitis C: 700 women call for test over infection fear | Hepatitis C: 700 women call for test over infection fear |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| More than 700 women have called south Wales health officials after being told they have been in contact with a health worker who has the Hepatitis C virus. | More than 700 women have called south Wales health officials after being told they have been in contact with a health worker who has the Hepatitis C virus. |
| Around 5,000 women have been offered tests after they were linked to someone who worked at three Welsh hospitals from 1984 and 2003 before retiring. | Around 5,000 women have been offered tests after they were linked to someone who worked at three Welsh hospitals from 1984 and 2003 before retiring. |
| One woman attending one of the first clinics for a test said it was a "nightmare" having to wait for results. | |
| Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said the risk of infection is low. | |
| "I am so stressed that I have been put in this position," said council worker Elaine Luther, one of the women invited for tests. | |
| "And to wait another two weeks for the results of the test is just a nightmare," said Ms Luther from Aberbargoed in Caerphilly. | |
| The alert was raised after the health board, which covers the former Gwent area, learnt the retired obstetrics and gynaecology worker had tested positive for the illness. | The alert was raised after the health board, which covers the former Gwent area, learnt the retired obstetrics and gynaecology worker had tested positive for the illness. |
| Hepatitis C is a virus which can lead to inflammation of the liver. If untreated, the infection can cause chronic liver disease and, very rarely, cancer of the liver. | Hepatitis C is a virus which can lead to inflammation of the liver. If untreated, the infection can cause chronic liver disease and, very rarely, cancer of the liver. |
| The individual mainly worked at Caerphilly District Miners Hospital but also worked briefly at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and the old East Glamorgan Hospital near Pontypridd. | The individual mainly worked at Caerphilly District Miners Hospital but also worked briefly at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and the old East Glamorgan Hospital near Pontypridd. |
| Patients at a number of hospitals around the UK in the 1970s and 1980s are also being contacted if they were treated by the worker. | Patients at a number of hospitals around the UK in the 1970s and 1980s are also being contacted if they were treated by the worker. |
| 'Annoyed' | |
| Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has arranged a series of nurse-led clinics to test those in Wales who come forward. | Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has arranged a series of nurse-led clinics to test those in Wales who come forward. |
| Ms Luther said she called to make an appointment after finding a letter marked "strictly confidential" waiting at her home on Wednesday. | |
| She explained she had received treatment several years ago at Caerphilly District Miners Hospital. | |
| "I feel really annoyed. You put your faith in people like this," she said. | |
| "I have been to other hospitals for treatment and it makes me think what else could have happened. | |
| "I am getting married this year and this has just put a big black cloud over the wedding." | |
| The health board's public health director, Dr Gill Richardson, said: "We would encourage all women who receive a letter to contact the dedicated helpline number which is contained in each letter, to arrange their test as soon as possible. | The health board's public health director, Dr Gill Richardson, said: "We would encourage all women who receive a letter to contact the dedicated helpline number which is contained in each letter, to arrange their test as soon as possible. |
| "We need to again stress that the risk of transmission is low and testing is being provided as a precautionary measure." | "We need to again stress that the risk of transmission is low and testing is being provided as a precautionary measure." |
| People who have not received a letter but still have concerns are advised to contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or contact their GP. | People who have not received a letter but still have concerns are advised to contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or contact their GP. |