UNISON is calling on NHS employers to act on needlestick injuries (NSI) by making safer needles compulsory across the health service. The call comes in the wake of the death of the nurse, Juliet Young, who contracted HIV from a needlestick injury.
“We need accurate data to assess the extent of the NSI problem but estimates put the number of injuries as high as 100,000 every year. Each one puts the person affected through months, sometimes years of agony. I have no doubt that news of Juliet’s death will add to their fear and misery, as they go through all the tests and treatment necessary following a needlestick injury.
“The European Commission is currently looking at Europe-wide legislation on safer needles. If safer needles were made compulsory across Europe there would be economies of scale that would bring down the cost of safer devices benefiting everyone.”
