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New laws for health workers welcomed
MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber Linda McAvan has welcomed a new EU agreement aimed at ending a significant risk to health workers.
Needle-sticks – which form part of syringes and related equipment – cause up to one million injuries across the European Union every year.
Around half of all nurses in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire have been injured by a needle or similar sharp object - carrying the risk of infection from viruses including hepatitis B and C and HIV.
An agreement has now been struck between healthcare professionals and trade unions which will inform new EU legislation.
New, safer needle-sticks, improved procedures to use and dispose of needles more safely and better training for employees are to be
included in the new law.
Ms McAvan said: "Needle-stick injuries have been a major concern of nurses and other healthcare professionals for a number of years now.
Although the incidence of contracting hepatitis or HIV from such an injury are mercifully rare, the risk is there and when a needle stick injury does occur, an individual can face a terribly anxious wait to receive test results for infection.
"That's why I've been pleased to work with the trade unions and healthcare professionals to help address this problem."
Cliff Williams, Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Secretary for trade union Unison, welcomed the new law.
He added: "In the longer term, we are keen to see needle injury protection extended to workers in other sectors who come into contact with used needles such as refuse collection workers, prison officers, care workers."
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Monday 21 May 2012
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