Hospital bosses have moved to reassure the public after a patient at Russells Hall was diagnosed with tuberculosis.

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust says the patient was admitted to a surgical ward at the hospital with an unrelated medical complaint four weeks before the diagnosis of the potentially deadly disease was made during a further admission in April.

Bosses, however, have stressed that although it is a highly contagious bacterial infection, TB is “treatable and can lead to a full recovery”. Diane Wake, chief executive at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said:

"As soon as the diagnosis was suspected, the patient was treated in line with national policies and procedures.”

As a result of the diagnosis letters were sent to 36 patients who may have been at risk of contracting the infection, but the Trust has confirmed that no further cases have been identified in the hospital at this stage. Ms Wake said the patients were contacted as a precautionary measure, adding:

"In line with national guidance, set out by Public Health England, when an individual is confirmed to have TB, we routinely get in touch with the people a patient has come into contact with giving details and information should they have any concerns.

"We also contact their GP to ensure that key individuals are aware to provide support if it is required. It is very important to say that the risk to other patients who were on the same ward as the patient with TB is minimal.”

She said patients contacted by letter had been given a number to call if they are at all worried and added that if patients have not had a letter, they have not had any contact with the patient and should not be concerned.