Women who were treated at a Chatham hospital by a healthcare worker with hepatitis C are being offered tests for the infection.

The member of staff is known to have transmitted the virus to two patients while working at a hospital in Wales between 1984 and 2002.

The worker, who dealt with mainly obstetric and gynaecological cases, was employed at other hospitals across the UK prior to working in Wales, including All Saints Hospital in Chatham from to November 5 to November 16, 1979.

Former patients are being traced and will be sent letters, inviting them to attend a hospital clinic or their GP for a blood test.

Less than 400 women in England have so far been identified as having definitely or possibly had operations conducted by the affected healthcare worker.

Dr Paul Cosford, medical director at Public Health England said: “We have worked hard to identify women in England who might have been at risk of contracting infection with hepatitis C from this healthcare worker and are contacting them to offer advice and a blood test for hepatitis C, should they wish to have one.

"I want to emphasise that the risk of infection is very small and that we are offering them testing purely as a precaution.”

He added: “Like most people who are infected with hepatitis C, the healthcare worker had no symptoms and was unaware of the infection until after they retired.

"As soon as the risk of infection was recognised, and a transmission was confirmed, a process of tracing their occupational history began.”

Around 1 in 250 adults in England have chronic hepatitis C infection and it does not automatically lead to health problems.

Treatment can help clear the infection in up to 80% cases, which is why it’s important to identify anyone who may be at risk of having been infected so treatment can be started if necessary.

• A helpline and support service is available for any women concerned from tomorrow (Thursday). Call 0800 1214400.