INTRUSIVE and unnecessary questions are leaving HIV positive patients angry and hurt after visiting the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, it has been claimed.

An inquiry has been launched after complaints were made about the way service users from Body Positive Dorset have been treated at the hospital.

Charity manager Richard Erven said senior staff had questioned HIV patients about how they contracted the virus, despite the question being ‘entirely unnecessary’.

He added: “If a man contracted the virus as a result of a blood transfusion or a woman as a result of sexual intercourse, will they receive different medical treatment?

“Of course not – to ask such a question can only be to satisfy morbid curiosity.”

Mr Erven said nursing staff on the wards were more sensitive but anaesthetists, surgeons and doctors did not appear to have been trained in how to deal with HIV patients.

And he said the issue was just one of those faced by service users when they needed medical treatment.

“Until recently they were left until last in the day to go into the surgery for an operation and were told this was because equipment had to be sterilised. Surely it is sterilised after every operation.”

A spokesman for the hospital confirmed it was looking into a complaint.

Medical director Dr Mary Armitage added: “Our staff have to take an appropriate clinical history from all patients in order to be able to manage their care accordingly.

“We are sorry if any patient has been distressed by our approach and would welcome a discussion with Body Positive Dorset.”