Hospital worker contracts TB

Some patients were contacted by the hospital

A health care worker at a Lancashire hospital has been diagnosed with tuberculosis.

It is not known how the Royal Preston Hospital staff member contracted the disease but it is thought to be an isolated case.

Patients who may have been in contact with the worker have been contacted with advice that the risk to them is extremely low.

The Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says that the worker is making good progress towards recovery.

Information line

As a precaution, all staff working in close proximity to the health care worker are being assessed.

A statement issued by the chief executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says that patients under the care of Royal Preston Hospital who have not been contacted should be assured that they have not been treated by the worker in question.

Information lines have been set up for anyone with any queries and will remain open until Friday.

The helpline number is 01772 524172.