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Twenty-one patients were treated with unsterilised surgical tools at Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital.

The instruments, which were disinfected but not sterilised on February 24, were used in operations and examinations on February 25 and 26.

The mistake was discovered on February 27, but patients were not informed until Monday March 16.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has apologised and said it is taking “precautionary steps” to support those affected.

In a statement, the health board confirmed a “very small number of medical instruments” were involved and said: “Although the instruments completed the initial cleaning and disinfection stages, they did not go through the final sterilisation phase.”

The statement continued: “While the clinical risk of blood‑borne virus exposure is extremely low, we have arranged precautionary testing and support to give full reassurance.

“We fully recognise the concern and distress this may cause, and we are truly sorry. The wellbeing of our patients is our highest priority, and we are taking all necessary actions to understand how this happened and to prevent it from occurring again.”

The health board added: “We also understand that others may feel concerned on hearing about this. We want to reassure all patients that this was a very limited incident, those affected have been contacted directly, and there is no wider cause for concern.”