Overview
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board says instruments were disinfected but skipped the final autoclave step on February 24 before being used in 21 procedures on February 25–26.
- The lapse was identified on February 27 during a routine check, the affected tools were withdrawn, and additional safeguards were introduced in the sterilisation unit.
- All 21 patients have been contacted and offered precautionary testing and support, and the hospital reports no identified harm so far.
- Medical director Dr Seema Srivastava characterizes the transmission risk as “potential but extremely low” and attributes the failure to human error, with a full review underway.
- Politicians are demanding transparency and answers over the more than two‑week delay in notifying patients, following concerns raised by a whistleblower.