A NURSING agency has been axed over fears nearly 60 hospital staff were not tested for deadly blood-borne viruses like HIV.
Four health boards have have launched probes after a whistleblower at H1 Healthcare exposed how crucial records meant to show employees were infection-free were missing.
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A major nursing agency has been axed from the NHSCredit: Alamy
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H1 Healthcare has been suspended amid health board probesCredit: Alamy
Last night Tory MSP Sandesh Gulhane — also a GP — said it was “terrifying” that unscreened staff could have been allowed near patients.
Insiders warned bosses they risked losing their contracts after an internal review revealed fears they were unable to prove that 57 ICU, neonatal and A&E staff did not present a risk to patients.
Health chiefs in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Fife and Grampian healthboards have suspended the firm.
And a source last night accused agency bosses of putting “profit before safety”.
They told The Scottish Sun on Sunday: “Rules are strict for a reason.
“Nurses can cut themselves on instruments, needles, bits of bone or teeth and expose patients to their blood.
“This agency is sending staff into operating theatres, critical care wards and to look after newborns and women who have just given birth with apparently no idea of the risks.
“To even consider sending them in knowing the checks are missing is disgusting and dangerous.
“Imagine going into hospital for treatment or to have a baby and coming out with HIV or hepatitis.
“This is profit before safety.”
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We can reveal agency operations manager James Hughes flagged discrepancies to bosses last August — warning they risked failing an NHS audit.
He insisted action was needed on “incorrect” fitness to work credentials which could see the company lose contracts.
He urged leaders to “make a decision” because the firm would likely lose nurses if “we advise” “they have to get these immunisations” because they are “expensive and can take time to get results back”.
In an email, Mr Hughes also raised concerns that 168 workers who completed e-learning courses on “infection control” and patient “safeguarding” had no levels on their certificates.
He also told chiefs how four overseas workers had not handed over criminal records checks and insisted H1 should have carried out checks.
The firm — whose parent company posted a £15.5million turnover and gross profits of £3million last year — went on to fail an audit late last year.
A whistleblower shared Mr Hughes’ email with health chiefs who care for a combined three million people.
Last night NHS Lanarkshire was assessing “any potential risks” while NHS Grampian was probing “concerns”.
NHS Fife chiefs were confirmed to be checking on “certification of nursing staff” supplied by the firm.
A spokesman added: “We have sought clarity from H1 Healthcare regarding these allegations and have suspended use of the agency while these claims are fully investigated.”
It emerged chiefs in NHS Lothian and NHS Ayrshire and Arran both previously used the agency.
Last night Tory shadow health secretary Dr Gulhane called for Health Secretary Neil Gray to act. He said: “It’s terrifying that unscreened staff may have been allowed anywhere near patients.
“This reckless failure could have put the most vulnerable people, including children, at risk of potentially serious harm.
“Neil Gray must guarantee he will urgently investigate to ensure that this serious issue never happens again.”
The firm’s spokesman said: “H1 Healthcare is co-operating fully and is confident the investigation will confirm there are no patient safety concerns.”
Procurement body NHS National Services Scotland said: “NSS has been made aware of concerns regarding the supply of agency nursing staff from H1 Healthcare and are collaborating with health boards to assist ongoing inquiries.”
The Scottish Government said agency staff should only be deployed by NHS bosses as a “last resort”.
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A spokesman said: “All agencies are required to satisfy certain conditions designed to ensure the suitability of workers deployed in NHS settings.
“Each board has arrangements for ensuring all agency workers meet requirements designed to ensure delivery of high-quality patient care.”