A WOMAN has been tested for HIV after an anaesthetist pricked himself on a needle he was removing from her arm.

Anita Reeve, 58, had to give her consent for the test following the blunder, just before she underwent surgery.

Mrs Reeve said the anaesthetist at Orsett Hospital, run by the same trust as Basildon Hospital, jabbed his finger when removing the needle before a carpal tunnel operation.

Mrs Reeve said the wound on her hand from the operation was so bad it became infected for several weeks – and has still not healed properly, more than five months later.

She said: “I had previous carpal tunnel surgery done privately and that was fine.

“But my husband lost his job, so I had to go on the NHS.

“The anaesthetist pricked his finger when taking out a needle from my hand, which drew blood.

“This left me laying in the operating theatre while he got sorted and came back with consent forms for me to sign in order that they could take blood samples from me for testing.

“Not a good start.

“Things got worse. I told the consultant I would never have her touch my other hand as I would rather leave it as it is.”

Mrs Reeve was asked to give blood samples because if she had HIV it would have shown up straight away, where as the anaesthetist would have had an anxious three-month wait before he could have a test. That is how long the virus takes to show in the blood.

Mrs Reeve, of Moores Avenue, Fobbing, now plans to make an official complaint about the incident.

Hospital spokeswoman Nicola Laver said: “We do not comment on individual patient care.

“If a patient or their loved one has a concern or query, they can contact our patient advice and liaison service who are there to resolve any concerns to their satisfaction, on 01268 524900, ext 4440.”