Woman needed HIV test after GP used old genital swab

“When I found out the swab had already been used and I would need to have tests for HIV and hepatitis, I was extremely upset and scared,” she said.

“I was shocked and worried about what this might mean for my health.”

The practice apologised – but an investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) for England has now found it failed to sufficiently acknowledge its mistakes and should pay the woman £500 in recognition of her distress.

The patient said: “It was a grave error and I still can’t fathom how it happened.

“The mistake was bad enough in the first place – but the aftercare was worse.

“That is why I escalated it to the ombudsman, as there was no acknowledgement of the distress I experienced for three months.”

The ombudsman said the GP practice had now acknowledged its failings and taken steps to ensure it will not make the same mistake again.