CONCERNS have been raised after an outbreak of scabies at Southend Hospital.

Southend Hospital saw the outbreak of Norwegian Crusted Scabies on Princess Anne Ward during March.

One patient was admitted to the hospital from residential care with a confirmed case of scabies - an infestation of tiny mites that get into the outer layers of skin before burrowing inside the skin and laying eggs.

Ten staff members at the hospital subsequently became infected.

The condition is not dangerous, but is uncomfortable as it causes an itchy rash.

Papers seen by the Echo state that the outbreak was managed and an investigation into how it spread was carried out in conjunction with the Occupational Health Department, Public Health England and the Integrated Primary Care Team.

The papers also state that communications sent out to all staff in relation to the outbreak.

The hospital took the decision not to close the ward.

The patient was provisionally diagnosed with eczema by a GP.

Long-serving Westcliff GP Dr Marimuthu Velmurugan - known as Dr Vel to his patients - said he thinks this outbreak raises serious questions about cleaning.

He said: “I have recently seen a woman patient who had the condition, but I did not know anything about the hospital outbreak.

“It is very easily spread through contact with people and beds.

“The hospital should be making sure the staff are cleaning very well to help stop spreading of conditions such as this.

“Health and safety control must be very good, and I think the hospital should be looking into this.

“It’s very important that bed linen is cleaned and washed very well also, to help prevent spread of this.

“It is not dangerous but can disrupt people’s sleep and can cause embarrassment.”

Dr Vel said that the incident also raises questions about how well and fast the hospital staff identified the case and isolated the people involved.

He said infection control at a hospital also very important to prevent the spread of serious conditions.

Denise Townsend, director of nursing at Southend Hospital said: “We worked closely with Public Health England to identify and treat a small number of people affected by scabies.

“Those potentially affected were contacted and received the appropriate treatment to prevent the risk of further individuals being affected.” Scabies is highly infectious, but is usually easily treated.