Hospital dirty instruments row 'frightening'

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The Queensland Opposition says it is frightening more than 200 dental patients at the Bundaberg hospital could have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis.

Instruments used on 33 people the week before and not cleaned properly, have put 235 patients treated at the clinic last week at risk.

Thirty-one people of the 33 are now being tested for blood-borne viruses.

Queensland Health Minister Paul Lucas says the mistake should not have occurred and the situation has put patients under unnecessary stress.

Mr Lucas says an infection scare for dental patients at the Bundaberg hospital is unacceptable.

He says an investigation is underway and staff could be disciplined.

"This is a basic error that is just not acceptable," Mr Lucas said.

"Dealing with sterilised equipment is something that every day thousands and thousands of dentists Australia-wide do.

"For this equipment not to have been sterilised properly and for it then to be used is just simply unacceptable."

Queensland Opposition health spokesman Mark McArdle says it is incomprehensible another health problem has occurred at Bundaberg hospital.

Mr McArdle says lives have been put at risk and the situation is frightening.

"We are now heading towards what should be a happy time - Christmas - but these people will have to wait weeks and months to see if they are clear from these very, very dangerous diseases," he said.

"I can't comprehend after all the situation that has arisen in regard Bundaberg hospital and Queensland Health that we are still facing a potential death sentence to Queenslanders."