PROTECTING PEOPLE FROM NEEDLESTICK INJURY

Early day motion 1515, tabled 2 July 2003 by Laura Moffatt (Labour). Signed by 75 members.

That this House recognises the importance of hypodermic and other medically prescribed needles as a cause of injury to NHS and many other public sector staff including demolition and construction workers, police, social service staff, refuse collectors, park workers, gardeners and prison staff; notes that in the recent National Audit Office report, A Safer Place to Work, such incidents remain second only to violence and aggression as a cause of injury to National Health Service staff; further notes that such injuries, though apparently minor in nature, carry a significant health risk to those affected in the form of the transmission of blood borne viruses including Hepatitis B and C and HIV and that there have been five cases in which transmission of HIV occurred occupationally from a needlestick injury to healthcare workers in the UK, four of whom have since died; and congratulates the Safer Needles Network on their excellent work in this field focusing on a range of related issues including surveillance and reporting of incidents, safer working practice, education and training, the use of safety devices and on their instrumental role in bringing this important issue to the attention of the House.

Signatures by party: Labour 55, Liberal Democrat 10, Labour/Co-operative 4, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Scottish National Party 1.