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Liz LynneLiberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands 1999-2012 |
World Aids Day highlights need to protect Healthcare Workers
December 1, 2005 6:05 PM
On World Aids Day, Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne has called on the
European Commission and individual Member States to tackle the issue of
needlestick injuries at work.
"It is estimated that 1 million such injuries occur in Europe each year,
many of which are avoidable and cause untold misery for our front line
health workers. They must be better protected.
"It is not acceptable that health workers are put in danger when such
injuries could easily be prevented. The number of people with HIV and
Hepatitis C is growing rapidly and many are unaware they are infected.
"Existing Guidance has not proved effective; the Commission must act to
provide legislative protection for workers exposed to the risk of HIV
infection"
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne has been campaigning for better protection
for health workers from needlestick injuries, known more commonly as
sharps injuries.
The significant occupational risks faced by healthcare workers from
contaminated needles was brought to the attention of the European
Commission more than two years ago and since then Liz Lynne has met with
Commissioner Spidla, who is the Commissioner responsible for Health and
Safety at work and written to both Commissioner Spidla and more recently
President Barroso asking for an amendment to the Biological Agents
directive 2000/54/EC to include legislative provisions for Healthcare
workers.
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