NEARLY 8,000 letters have been sent to patients at Eldene Surgery after a member of medical staff was suspended amid concerns they allegedly worked outside their level of trained competence.

The Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group made the news public via its website to say it was looking at the quality of care provided to patients by an associate practitioner at the Colingsmead centre, who has currently been suspended.

While the CCG said there is no reason to believe that anything untoward has taken place with care, it has issued letters to all registered patients, around 7,700 people, warning them to double check their last known appointments as a precaution.

A confidential hotline has since been set up for people who have received wound care treatment in the past year, been seen for a diabetes review, sexual health review, contraception review or mental health during the past two years, been seen for a course of hormone treatment within the last six months or taken a baby or child for any immunisation since June 2011.

A spokesman from the CCG said: “All registered patients of Eldene Surgery were written to once the initial investigation identified there were concerns about the care that may have been provided to them by an associate practitioner and we understood the breadth of service provided by that individual.

“Eldene Surgery is open as normal and we would like to provide reassurance that it is safe for people to be registered with the practice and there are no concerns about the current quality of clinical care. We are encouraging patients to access the services in the same way that they usually would.

“We are unable to provide further comments as Wiltshire Police are investigating.’’

Police confirmed they were looking into the matter due to the potential misrepresentation of the member of staff.

A spokesman added: “Police are aware of what has happened and we are in the early stages of our investigation.”

The helpline number is 0300 111 0023 and will operate from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday.

The information given to the helpline staff will be treated in confidence and will only be shared with Eldene Surgery staff.