RCN welcomes full implementation of regulations to protect nursing staff

Published: 09 May 2013

The Royal College of Nursing has welcomed the implementation of regulations coming into force from Saturday 11 May to protect staff from needlestick injuries, which can result in serious infections such as HIV and Hepatitis. 

An estimated one million needlestick injuries occur in the European Union each year, with more than 100,000 occurring annually in the UK. The RCN lobbied hard in the European Union (EU) for a directive which led to these regulations in 2010, which is now being made a reality in UK law.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary said: "This is a significant victory which has been hard won and demonstrates the importance of influencing EU health policy to benefit nurses and nursing. We have always believed that nurses and health care assistants should not have to go to work fearing that they could be exposed to serious infections.

"It is horrific to have serious infections such as Hepatitis and HIV simply because steps haven’t been taken to avoid preventable accidents. We made a commitment to our members to make this happen. Now that the regulations to prevent needlestick injuries are enshrined in law, we hope that employers are ready to implement them and to protect their staff."