NEARLY 1,000 people have called a special Whiston Hospital helpline after it was revealed that a surgeon had been diagnosed as having HIV, the AIDS virus, although officials stress he has not got AIDS.

Within hours of the news being disclosed by hospital chiefs last Thursday, the helplines were bombarded with 600 calls from anxious people who had been treated, or had relatives treated, at the hospital's Ear, Nose and Throat Department where the surgeon worked.

To date, 225 worried patients have requested counselling. A health authority spokesman confirmed that only a handful of patients had asked for AIDS tests, as the majority of people were aware of the minimal risk of being infected.

A statement issued by the hospital when the news was released, stated: "A doctor on the staff of Whiston Hospital has HIV, the AIDS virus. However, the doctor does not have AIDS and it is known that he cannot have carried the virus for longer than nine months.

"He is naturally distressed by this and is currently taking sick leave. He has acted responsibly by informing the St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals Trust of his situation.

"The doctor's work did not normally give rise to situations in which the virus might be transferred from his blood to a patient."

The hospital notified 300 patients treated from January of this year about the situation and it has also established four helpline telephone numbers for concerned patients. These are: 0151 430 1592/1626/1957/1958.

Solicitors Canter, Levin & Berg have been instructed by a number of clients to pursue claims for compensation against the St Helens & Knowsley Hospitals Trust in relation to their possible exposure to the HIV Virus whilst being treated at the ENT Unit at Whiston Hospital.

Legal Aid has been applied for and letters before action have been sent.

It is anticipated that substantial claims for compensation will be made against the Trust both for the psychological and emotional distress caused to the victims and their families and also for the possible physical complaints that may result.

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