Needle call after landmark ruling

Pilot projects tested the introduction of the needles

Safety syringes will have to be introduced for medical staff across Scotland after a landmark legal ruling, according to health service unions.

Their introduction was rejected five years ago on cost grounds - but judges have ruled that the NHS could not make such a decision on that basis alone.

Health Minister Andy Kerr has ordered a review of the situation.

Safety syringes have a retractable needle which reduces the risk of injury after the injection is given.

A Scottish Executive working party looked into their introduction five years ago.

Every health board in Scotland will have to take on board the implications of this decision Jim Devine Unison official

Trials were carried out in a number of hospitals after the health union Unison claimed that more than 20,000 staff members were being accidentally pricked by syringes each year.

However, the working party concluded safety syringes could not be introduced because it would cost too much.

Unison took a test case, involving two ambulance paramedics, to the Court of Session in Edinburgh last year.

Three appeal judges ruled that the NHS in Scotland could not refuse to introduce safety syringes on costs grounds alone as this breached European health and safety laws.

Major implications

In recent weeks final negotiations on the test case were concluded in the paramedics' favour.

Unison official Jim Devine argued that it set a precedent for all other health service workers.

"Every health board in Scotland will have to take on board the implications of this decision, which is quite frankly that they have to discard the old-style needles and introduce safety needles throughout the Scottish health service."

I want to get a review to ensure that we are protecting our staff, which is absolutely vital Andy Kerr Health Minister

The health minister has ordered a review to determine where it might be appropriate to introduce safety syringes.

Mr Kerr said that the retractable needles used in some of the pilot projects had apparently not worked very well.

However, he said there were certain locations where their introduction needed to be considered.

"I want to get a review of this to ensure that we are protecting our staff, which is absolutely vital for me.

"We want to respond to their concerns but also ensure that we continue with good clinical services as well."