RCN calls for EU agreement on sharps injuries to be implemented quickly

Published: 17 July 2009

For immediate release: Friday 17th July 2009

The Royal College of Nursing today welcomed the signing of a joint agreement by European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) and the European Hospital and Healthcare Employers Association (HOSPEEM). This is an EU-wide agreement which the RCN has played a key role in bringing about to prevent one million medical sharps injuries per year. Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:

"Around half of nurses in the UK have been injured by a needle or sharp and we are delighted that the voice of our members has been heard in Europe on this issue. Nurses work in fear of needlestick injuries and, while the deal is welcome, we are concerned that it might take a number of years to be implemented in the UK. We are calling for speedy implementation of these measures in order to end the stress, trauma and serious medical consequences of these preventable accidents. It is vital that more people are not injured while we wait for safer practices to reach the workplace.

"It is very clear - needle policies, training and investment in safer needles can help prevent these accidents from happening in the first place. Nurses must also receive proper support from their employers when they sustain an injury to prevent the feelings of stress and isolation that often accompany such trauma. By making these changes and safeguarding the health of all staff, we can improve patient care in the UK and throughout Europe."

Ends

Notes for Editors

In the UK, a small but significant number of healthcare workers have developed potentially life-threatening diseases. Since the late 1990s, 11 health staff have contracted hepatitis C from needle jabs and five HIV transmissions have also been confirmed.

While the majority of needlestick injuries are not life threatening, the possibility of developing infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV can cause immense distress, anxiety and anguish for nurses and other healthcare workers.
Needlestick injury - the key facts

An RCN survey of 4407 nurses, carried out in November 2008, found that:
• Almost half of all nurses (48%) had been stuck by a needle or sharp that had previously been used on a patient;
• Over half of nurses (52%) fear needlestick injuries either 'a great deal' or 'a fair amount';
• Nearly half (45%) of nurses reported they have not received training from their employer on safe needle use;
• 95% of nurses consider that the availability of safer needle devices is either 'essential' or 'preferable', yet only a half report that they currently have access to any such device.

The European Agency of Occupational Safety and Health estimates that one million needlestick injuries occur every year. As the largest occupational group of healthcare workers, nurses deliver the largest proportion of patient care and, not surprisingly, report the highest number of sharps and needlestick related injuries. Yet the majority of these injuries are preventable.

The RCN made action on this issue a key point in the 2009 manifesto for the European elections -

"The RCN calls on MEP candidates to ensure that the current negotiations between employers and trade unions to prevent needlestick injuries produces a Framework Agreement by autumn 2009. If it does not, then the European Parliament should demand EU legislation."

For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.