Probe after patient gets hepatitis C in hospital AN investigation into a patient who contracted hepatitis C while in an Edinburgh hospital has revealed that the disease was "likely" to have been caught within the A&E department. NHS Lothian launched a probe into the incident, which took place in July, after a patient admitted to the A&E department of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary was infected by the blood borne virus. It is suspected that the patient, who has not been identified, was infected through "cross-contamination which occurred in the department." The health board said the risk of infection for other patients is deemed to be low, but 34 patients treated at the time of the incident have been advised and tested for the disease. NHS Lothian has said it has strengthened its infection control procedures following a review. Dr David Farquharson, Medical Director, NHS Lothian, said: "We take infection prevention and control extremely seriously and the safety of our patients is our top priority. Unfortunately on this occasion we have fallen below the high standards which we expect. We have spoken to and, apologised to the individual involved, and I would like to take this opportunity to publicly apologise for the distress this has caused. This investigation has identified failings in our processes and these are being urgently addressed. I would like to re-assure everyone who has visited our Emergency Department that the risk of being infected is very low. If anyone is at all concerned, I would encourage them to contact the dedicated helpline for more information and advice. Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus that can infect and damage the liver. The virus can be treated with antiviral medicines that stop it from multiplying inside the body and prevent liver damage. Around one per cent of the Scottish population are infected with the virus.