FEWER than half of GPs in Scotland are sure they know how to spot and treat the deadly liver disease Hepatitis C.

FEWER than half of GPs in Scotland are sure they know how to spot and treat the deadly liver disease Hepatitis C.

This could leave thousands of patients and their partners at risk from the killer virus, say experts.

A national study has found more than a third of family doctors do not even know how to read the results of blood tests they carry out for patients who could be at risk.

Now, a national charity has called for more support to help GPs support Scots living with the disease.

The Hepatitis C Trust says thousands of people are at risk from cirrhosis or even liver cancer, as well as risking passing on the virus to partners if they are not treated.

Doctors in regions across the UK were surveyed by the polling group ICM Healthcare.

A total of 36% of GPs questioned in Scotland admitted they did not know how to interpret test results.

And more than half of the doctors, 57%, said they were not confident in their ability to diagnose and manage hepatitis C infection in patients.

Charles Gore, chief executive of the Hepatitis C Trust, said: "GPs must take some responsibility to ensure patients with hepatitis C are not left undiagnosed.

"More must be done to equip GPs with the right information so they can correctly identify those who should be offered a hepatitis C test and interpret any result correctly."

An estimated 37,500 Scots have a form of the disease that, while it may not show itself by making them ill, can be passed on to others.

Hepatitis C is mostly associated with infection through unprotected sex or shared needles among drug users.

But it can also be passed on by other blood contact, such as transfusions, poorly sterilised piercing or dental equipment or even shared toothbrushes.

Symptoms of the virus can take years to develop but, while there is no vaccine to prevent infection, more than 50% of patients can be cured with a course of antiviral drugs.