Hygiene concern at GP's practice

The specula had not been cleaned properly

An inquiry has been launched into how unsterilised equipment was used for internal medical examinations on women.

Health officials said they were trying to contact 260 women examined at the Clarkston medical practice in Airdrie.

The devices in question were metal specula, used repeatedly for internal examinations over a period of more than three years.

Last year, the medical practice operated by Dr Tahira Idrees was investigated over out-of-date vaccines.

The women who were examined between April 2000 and November 2003 were being contacted by letter, and a helpline has been set up on 0800 0282816.

NHS Lanarkshire stressed that the risk of infection from the equipment, which was predominantly used in cervical smear tests, was "very low" but precautionary health advice and tests were being offered.

The women were examined at Clarkston Medical Centre

Hygiene practice at the medical centre has been improved, it added.

Dr John Logan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine for NHS Lanarkshire, said: "Concerns were raised about the use of vaginal specula in the Clarkston Medical Practice in Airdrie and a detailed investigation has concluded that good practice was not always followed between April 2000 and November 2003.

"The investigation found that reusable metal vaginal specula were not always sterilised before being used again.

"There is a theoretical risk that an infection may have been transmitted from one patient to another by an unsterilised speculum, however this risk is very low - there are no known cases of infection having been transmitted in this way."

However, local MSP Karen Whitefield said a full audit of the practice and its methods should be carried out to reassure patients and the wider public.

It emerged in November that NHS Lanarkshire was probing concerns about vaccinations for childhood diseases including diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, Meningitis C and MMR at the centre.

It said it was unable to confirm that vaccines, administered over a two-year period, were stored at correct temperatures and there were concerns that some were administered after their expiry date.

The irregularities were said to have occurred between July 2001 and November 2003.

The General Medical Council said it had received a report from the health trust and was considering whether disciplinary action should be taken.