A PATIENT became ­infected with hepatitis C while being treated for a separate condition in ­hospital.

NHS Lanarkshire has carried out an investigation into the transmission of hepatitis C to a patient who was in Monklands Hospital in Airdrie.

The investigation concluded that the patient became ­infected during their inpatient stay, although the health board says the exact mode of transmission remains unclear.

As a result, NHS Lanarkshire has written to seven ­other patients and contacted their GPs.

They were all being treated in Monklands Hospital around the time the patient became infected in April 2012.

The health board says it is "very unlikely" that any of the seven people have been infected with hepatitis C and ­described the move as a ­"precautionary measure".

Dr John Logan, consultant in public medicine with NHS Lanarkshire, said: "We have carried out a ­detailed and thorough investigation.

"While it is very unlikely that anyone else has been infected in connection with this, we have taken the precaution of providing seven patients with information about the situation and a questions and answers document.

"They have also been offered an appointment to see a hepatitis C specialist for further information and advice and to have a test for hepatitis C should they wish to be tested."

The health board says ­actions have been put in place to enhance infection control, including increased frequency of audits of the wards and ­additional education sessions on prevention of infection.

New monitoring arrangements have also been used to ensure a high standard of infection control is being practised on all wards, the board said.

Dr Iain Wallace, NHS ­Lanarkshire's medical director, said: "We are committed to providing the highest standards of infection control across all of our services. It is of the greatest regret that on this occasion we did not do so.

"We have already used the lessons learned from this case to make further improvements to our infection control ­processes and practice."

Hepatitis C is a virus that is usually transmitted through blood contact, but can also be transmitted sexually.

It can infect and damage the liver and there are no obvious symptoms, meaning people usually only find out they have the virus once the liver has been significantly damaged.

stef.lach@ eveningtimes.co.uk