It has been reported that an investigation has been commenced by NHS England into possible “errors” with vaccinations and blood tests which were given to Derby University students between 2005 and October 2013.
Up to 606 students at the University of Derby were put at risk of HIV and Hepatitis B infection after a university worker reportedly reused syringe barrels. The worker has been suspended pending an investigation.
Medical Director for NHS England Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, Dr Doug Black, is reported as saying:
“It is understood that, while syringe needles were always changed between patients, the syringe barrels to which the needles attach were being reused in the administration of vaccinations. This also occurred during blood-taking, where a single-use holder for a blood collection tube was reused but needles changed.
“Therefore, there is an extremely low possibility these errors may have put people at risk of infection from Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV. With this in mind, as a precaution, we have reviewed all available university health records and the 606 people identified have all been contacted and invited to attend a blood test at their local hospital or via their GP.”
The University of Derby has said that affected students were on seven different courses – MA Art Therapy; MA Drama Therapy; MSc Occupational Therapy; BSc Occupational Therapy; BSc Diagnostic Radiography; BSc Nursing – adult and mental health; and Adv Dip in Nurse Studies. As part of these courses, students are required to undergo health screening and get vaccinations ahead of work placements.
Students have been sent letters advising that they seek medical help.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor John Coyne, said it was “appalling” that students may have been put at risk. He was reported as saying:
“I don’t think anyone can comprehend the degree of anxiety this could cause our students and that’s why we want to get everyone to see their GP as quickly as possible. Blood tests are often carried out on a one-to-one basis but this came to light because, on one occasion, there was a co-worker present and they observed potentially unsafe practice….It’s profoundly disappointing because we did everything very assiduously when it came to contracting this service and we feel we have been let down.”
The investigation by NHS England has involved work over the last 6 months to examine health records at the university since 2005 to determine who might have been affected. This has resulted in confirming that 286 of those affected are still at the university. Work has also been carried out to locate former students.
A confidential advice line has also been set up.
Comment
Medical professionals have stated that the risk of infection is low, but it is clearly unacceptable that hundreds of students have been put at such risk at all. As a result of the actions of the health worker, these students have had to deal with the distress of finding out about the “errors” and now also the agonising wait for the results of screening
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