27.11.12
New products on show to avoid sharps injuries
A series of nationwide events are being launched to support NHS staff in preparation for the introduction of a new EU directive.
The directive is being introduced to prevent sharps injuries in the health sector and member states have until May to comply. There are an estimated 100,000 needlestick accidents occurring every year in the UK alone.
NHS Supply Chain is running a series of events to allow NHS professionals to view and evaluate new ways of working and a range of enhanced products to ensure a safer working environment for clinical staff.
The events, supported by the Royal College of Nursing, offer the opportunity to review new devise and arrange local product trials.
Chris Littlejohn, clinical lead at NHS Supply Chain, said: “It will help to ensure a safer working environment for healthcare professionals and reduce the misery of thousands of staff who are exposed to blood-borne infections every year through this route.
“NHS Supply Chain is committed to working with trusts to provide a simple route to compliance. We have designed an implementation pack that will be rolled out following individual trust assessments – understanding each trust’s current position in terms of safer sharps and developing a path to implementation to ensure a smooth transition.”
NHS Supply Chain’s safer sharps events will run until 7 December across five nationwide locations – Manchester, London, Somerset, Leeds and Birmingham.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]
Image c. www.freeimages.co.uk