Why hospitals send infection letters
Hospitals are legally required to notify patients who may have been exposed to certain infections during their care. Common infections that trigger these letters include MRSA, C. difficile, norovirus, and, in some circumstances, blood-borne viruses. Receiving a letter does not mean you are infected — it means the hospital has a duty to tell you about a potential exposure.
What the letter should tell you
- What infection you may have been exposed to
- When and where the potential exposure occurred
- What symptoms to look out for
- What action to take — usually to contact your GP if you develop symptoms
- A contact number at the hospital for questions
What to do next
Follow the specific instructions in the letter. If you develop symptoms described in the letter, contact your GP promptly and tell them you have received a hospital infection notification letter. Do not go to A&E unless you are seriously unwell.
If you believe you have suffered harm as a result of a hospital-acquired infection, you have the right to raise a formal complaint and, if appropriate, to seek legal advice about a clinical negligence claim.