It has been announced by NHS Resolution that between 2012 and 2022 there have been 2600 claims by people working in the NHS with regards to avoidable needlestick injuries.

1947 of these were successful claims and cost the NHS £10,799,616 in total for compensation paid plus legal costs.

1460 of the successful claims were received from ancillary workers (cleaners, porters, laundry and maintenance staff), all employees who were exposed to sharps.

432 of the successful claims were made by clinical staff and 55 were from other occupations.

The majority of needlestick injuries can be prevented. Legal requirements are placed on employers to take steps to prevent healthcare staff being exposed to infectious agents from sharps injuries under the Health & Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.

NHS Trusts can be found to be in breach of regulations if they fail to prevent needlestick injuries. This could be very costly to an organisation, both in terms of paying compensation for the harm caused and costs incurred in pursuing a claim.

Organisations should ensure employee training is up to date as to the correct disposal procedures. They should review their procurement of safer sharps versus conventional sharps. If they are not using safer sharps, review whether this is habit or lack of awareness and check training is implemented on the use of safer sharps. Other factors should be assessed which can increase sharps injury risk, such as fatigue, poor lighting, staff shortages, PPE and lack of space.

Guidance on sharps safety can be found at:

• Health and Safety Executive
• Royal College of Nursing

If you have suffered a needlestick injury, this case result in physical harm, including contracting harmful blood borne viruses such as HIV, as well as psychological harm, such as PTSD. Such harm can have a lasting impact on an individual and their family, including affecting their ability to work.

If admissions of liability can be secured as a part of a claim, interim compensation can be obtained in order to assist with medical care and support, such as psychological treatment.

If you or a family member has been a victim of an avoidable needlestick injury, please contact our Clinical Negligence Department on 01482 323697 to discuss how we can help.