The scale of the problem

Sharps-related incidents are rising year on year across NHSPS sites. In 2023/24, there were 162 reported incidents. This figure jumped to 257 in 2024/25, marking a 59% increase. Alarmingly, in just the first six months of 2025/26 (April–September), there have already been 184 incidents—more than 70% of the previous year’s total. If this trend continues, NHSPS could see the highest number of sharps injuries on record by year-end.

What’s causing the rise?

The leading cause is incorrect disposal, responsible for 48% of needlestick or surgical instrument incidents this year. These include improperly discarded items such as scalpels, podiatry tools, and dental equipment. Inappropriate waste storage—like open sharps boxes or boxes left on the floor—contributed to 21% of incidents. Other causes include contractor errors and public drug use in shared facilities.

Where Are Incidents Happening

• Clinical rooms/internal areas: 66 incidents  
• Waste stores: 16 incidents  
• External areas: 13 incidents  
• Public toilets: 12 incidents  

Why it matters

Sharps injuries pose serious health risks; exposure to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV are among the most concerning outcomes of needlestick injuries. These bloodborne pathogens can lead to long-term health complications, require extensive medical follow-up, and cause significant psychological stress for affected individuals.

Beyond health risks, these incidents also result in:

• Operational disruption: Investigations, colleague absence, and increased administrative burden  
• Financial risk: Potential litigation and compensation claims 
• Reputational damage: Non-compliance with safety standards and poor safety culture  
• Regulatory pressure: Oversight from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and internal audits

Our duty of care

We have a duty to ensure we do everything we can to protect our colleague and patient health and safety. This is where we need our customers' help to use and dispose of sharps and needlesticks safely and correctly.

What are your responsibilities?

Clinical healthcare providers should already be aware of their duties under the Health and Safety (Sharps Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013, mainly to ensure the safe disposal of sharps. We're asking customers to please:

• Provide clearly marked and secure sharps disposal containers placed close to the areas where medical sharps are being used.
• Consider providing secure disposal containers in non-clinical.

What happens if someone gets injured?

If someone is injured by an incorrectly disposed sharp or finds regular evidence of incorrectly disposed sharps, we will formally ask customers to investigate the circumstances.

We will ask them to respond within 10 working days of the date of the request to confirm what actions you intend to take to prevent a recurrence.

What can you do?

• If you work in or manage a healthcare facility, our sharps safety guidance provides more information.
• Additionally, if you need sharps disposal containers to be collected, or new ones delivered, then please raise a ticket via Connect.
• If you have any questions relating to this issue, please get in touch with your local NHSPS contact or our Customer Service Centre.

Together, we can reduce injuries and protect everyone on site.