500 patients in Aids alert

More than 500 patients were today warned they may have contracted HIV after a massive hospital blunder.

Bosses at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital have written to the patients who underwent keyhole surgery telling them they must have urgent blood tests to discover if they have been infected.

The doctor at the centre of the scandal has been referred to the General Medical Council for possible disciplinary action.

The hospital has known about the HIV scare for two years but failed to inform patients until now. Patients could also have been infected with Hepatitis B or C.

The infection risk came from probes used in a new keyhole surgery technique on the shoulder at the hospital's outpatient clinic in Bolsover Street, central London.

In 551 operations between 1995 and 2002 the probes were used up to five times each. Although they were sterilised with alcohol after each patient, this may not have been completely effective. The probe should not have come into contact with the patient's blood but if it did then there is a risk an infection such as Hepatitis B or C or HIV could have been passed on.

A member of staff at the unit reported concerns about the way the probes were being used and the hospital suspended the practice. It was then restarted, with each probe being used once, but was halted in 2003.

The hospital - where Princess Eugenie was treated for curvature of the spine - was recently downgraded by the NHS from a two-star rating to zero stars and was slammed for allegedly fiddling waiting lists.

Chief executive Andrew Woodhead said today: "We let our patients down by not following the high standards we expect."

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Simon Moyes, 46, was part of the team that developed the technique. He left the hospital in 2003. He said: "I understand details of some of my work have been passed to the GMC and I am confident that any level of inquiry will exonerate me and all other medical staff."

A helpline has been set up for anyone with concerns on 020 8867 1426.