 About 200 patients and staff will be tested for TB |
More than 200 hospital patients are to be screened for tuberculosis (TB) after a member of staff contracted the disease. The nursing auxiliary, who works at Rochdale Infirmary in Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with the disease in December 2003.
The cases of all patients treated on the Sparthfield Ward between November 1 and December 14 are to be reviewed by their GPs to see whether they are at risk and in need of a test.
The member of staff, who has not been named, is recovering at home after she underwent treatment for the disease.
TB 'not easily spread'
Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Rochdale Infirmary, said those people with a higher risk of contracting the disease would be given priority.
These include people with diabetes, the elderly or those receiving treatment for cancer.
Forty-one staff members will also be checked.
Dr Roger Glew, medical director for the Trust, said patients and staff should not be unduly concerned as TB was not easily spread and was a difficult condition to contract.
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