About sharps
Sharps are classed as clinical waste and you must dispose of them in a sharps bin. The Sharps Disposal Service provides sharps bins. These are specially designed boxes with a secure lid.
Sharps include:
- needles
- syringes
- lancets (finger-stick blood sampler)
- clippers (used to snap off a needle, needle stays inside the clipper)
Sharps can cause injuries known as needlestick injuries, and used sharps can carry blood-borne viruses that may be passed on to other people.
If you use needles or sharps, it's your responsibility to dispose of them safely.
How to get a sharps bin
You can collect a sharps bin from:
- GP surgeries
- pharmacies
- the General Hospital outpatients reception
-
the Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre outpatients reception
How to use a sharps bin
Do
put used sharps into a sharps bin immediately after using them
keep your sharps bin in a safe place, out of sight and reach of children and pets
Don't
over-fill the sharps bin
bend or break a needle before disposal, use clippers for this
try to recap a needle
dismantle syringes before putting them in the sharps bin
put used sharps in any type of household rubbish or recycling, they must only go in a sharps bin
use needles and lancets more than once, they are single use only
How to dispose of your sharps bin
You must return your sharps bin to a designated, yellow, disposal bin.
To prevent needlestick injuries, make sure your sharps bin lid is securely sealed. You should label your sharps bin with the date you start using it and the date of disposal.
Disposal bins are located at:
- General Hospital outpatients reception (left of Gwyneth Huelin Wing entrance)
- Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre outpatients reception (next to the Thyme Out West)
You can also dispose of your sharps when attending your Rheumatology or Diabetes appointments.
The sharps service operates Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4pm. Outside of these times the disposal bin is emptied and locked to reduce the risk of injuries.
Needle exchange service
We also offer an anonymous and confidential needle exchange programme. We provide injecting equipment free of charge.
To find out more visit needle exchange service.
What to do if you find a sharp
If you find a used sharp in a public space, do not to touch it and report it to the police.
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