Patients In Northumberland Recalled For Blood Tests
Dental patients in Northumberland have been recalled for blood tests following dental treatment. The local NHS Primary Care Trust advised patients of a former dentist in Alnwick to undergo the tests.
Patients of the dentist, who is no longer practising, were encouraged to have blood tests after concerns were raised over infection control procedures. One patient, a 70 year old woman from Longhoughton, visited the mobile clinic at Alnwick Infirmary for blood tests last week after receiving a letter from NHS North of Tyne. She said the tests were straight-forward and added that she had decided to have the tests as a precaution.
Mrs Pringle said she did not get on with the dentist, but did not have any complaints about the treatment she received. She added that other patients may have a higher risk of infection and that she was surprised to receive the letter, but decided to have the screening test to put her mind at ease.
As a patient at the practice since it opened two years ago Mrs Pringle said she was unsure if she would stay at the practice or move to another local surgery.
Professor Sue Milner, director of public health and protection for NHS North of Tyne, said it was advisable for patients to arrange their blood test as soon as possible and added that members of staff at the trust are on hand to advise patients and answer any questions. The trust has stated that the tests are advised as a precautionary measure and the risk of infection is believed to be very low.
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