The hospital at the centre of a CJD scare has offered one-to-one support to all of the patients affected, for as long as they want it.

Health officials said they had spoken to all 24 people exposed to a potential risk of contracting the sporadic form of the brain disease during operations at Middlesbrough General Hospital.

Instruments used on them were also used in an operation on a female patient who was later found to have CJD.

The instruments were only quarantined 20 days after she was treated and were used on 29 patients - although five were found not to be at risk.

I would like to reassure all patients if you have not been contacted by now, you should not worry

Bill Murray, South Tees NHS Trust

The patients have been told the disease can take up to 30 years to incubate.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust said on Thursday that each patient will have a named employee allocated to give them support for as long as necessary.

The hospital closed a hotline it set up for worried patients after it took more than 250 calls.

Trust chief executive Bill Murray said all those affected had now been contacted and appealed for any other people not to worry.

Theoretical risk

Mr Murray said: "We are deeply sorry for any distress caused to the patients and their families and will do everything we possibly can help them through this difficult time.

"Every patient will be allocated a named person at the trust who will fully support them for as long as they feel they need it and we will be working with them to look at what theoretical risk - if any - they have.

"I would like to reassure all patients if you have not been contacted by now, you should not worry.

"If patients still have concerns they should get in touch with their consultant or GP."