DORSET County Hospital has moved to reassure hip replacement patients following reports in the national press about problems with metal replacement joints.

Reports claimed thousands of people are having blood tests amid fears they are being poisoned by their metal replacement hips.

A number of worried patients have been contacting the Dorchester hospital but it insists the DePuy ASR hip resurfacings that are being recalled have not been used at the hospital.

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Peter Ward said: “Problems have been highlighted with this particular hip resurfacing where metal on metal wear debris causes local tissue damage.

“I can reassure our patients that we have never used this particular resurfacing at Dorset County Hospital. Furthermore, none of our total hip replacements have had metal on metal bearings.

“We have used another brand of metal implant for some hip resurfacing procedures, and as a precaution we have already contacted these patients.

“All our resurfacing patients are kept under regular review.”

Any Dorset County Hospital patients who are concerned are invited to contact Mr Ward on 01305 255515.