Specialist Medical Lawyers Advise Patients To Undergo Tests As Soon As Possible

Specialist medical negligence and product liability lawyers have expressed their concerns that 22,000 patients are to be recalled after a dentist was suspended for allegedly breaching infection control standards.

NHS England has called a press conference later today to announce that 22,000 patients of an unnamed dentist in the Nottingham area are being invited back to take blood tests after it is understood the suspended practitioner did not follow the correct procedures for 32 years. It is believed that there is a risk of infection with blood borne viruses.

Sallie Booth, a specialist lawyer at Irwin Mitchell which has represented previous large group actions in medical negligence and product liability cases including patients infected with hepatitis C, which is a type of blood borne virus, says it is crucial that people undergo the necessary tests to see if they are affected.

She said: “This is an extremely worrying situation and to our knowledge the largest patient recall in the history of the NHS.

“The immediate concern is to ensure that the 22,000 patients are checked out as soon as possible and that they receive the necessary treatments they may need. Blood borne viruses are very serious conditions and can cause long-lasting effects if not treated quickly and appropriately.

“It is also important to find out how this could happen as it has apparently spans the dentist’s whole 32-year career. We understand that a whistle-blower at the Nottingham based practice raised the alarm and he was suspended in June, but over the previous three decades, others must have known this was going on. It raises serious patient safety issues and a thorough investigation must be carried out and published so that those 22,000 patients affected can find out the truth.”

The Daily Mirror reports today that during an investigation more than 160 patients were recorded as being put at “serious risk” from infection. they also report a source saying that while the risk of infection is low the advice has been to screen everyone.

An emergency walk-in centre is being set up in Nottinghamshire as well as a telephone hotline to advise patients.

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