Euro-MPs Meeting With Commissioner Injects New Life In To Sharps Campaign

4.28.02pm GMT Wed 23rd Feb 2005

An all-party group of MEPs led by ALDE Health & Safety spokesperson Liz Lynne today met Commissioner Spidla to get the Commission to back the campaign for better protection for health workers from needlestick injuries known as sharps injuries.

It is estimated that 1 million such injuries occur in Europe each year, many of which are avoidable. A needlestick injury occurs when a healthcare worker, or ancillary or support staff worker are accidentally pricked with a used needle.

When this injury occurs there is a risk of the worker acquiring a bloodborne infection, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

They were joined at the meeting by Roy Bridges from Health First Europe an alliance representing European patients, healthcare workers, academics, experts and industry.

Following today's meeting the Liberal Democrat MEP said:

"When I raised the subject in September while questioning Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Vladimir Spidla, he said that he did not know much about the problem but would look in to it. I am glad that he kept to his word and agreed to meet with us, and representatives of Health First Europe.

"It is not acceptable that health workers are put in danger when it could easily be prevented. The number of people with Hepatitis C is growing rapidly and many are unaware they are infected.

"There are three European safety directives that are applicable to this issue, one of which deals specifically with biological agents. However, these have not proved effective in protecting healthcare workers from potentially serious injuries.

"Further measures are necessary to ensure that this existing legislation is implemented properly by the Member States in the healthcare sector, in particular to protect workers from needlestick injuries. I hope the Commissioner will now come to the Parliament with proposals on how to prevent such injuries from taking place."

ENDS