A MUM found her toddler son sucking a used needle at a health centre.
Shareen Mills, 28, and husband Daniel, 22, are considering legal action after 21-month-old Harvey took the needle from an overflowing bin in a cupboard at Cannon Street Health Centre, Oldham.
The youngster was taken straight to hospital for a Hepatitis B vaccination jab - but the family now face an agonising 12-month wait to find out if he is infected with the disease.
Urgent
Health bosses have ordered an urgent investigation.
Mr Mills, of Broadway Street, Hathershaw, said the incident happened when his wife took the couple's four-month-old son Lewis for his immunisation to the clinic.
Gail Richards, chief executive of NHS Oldham, said: "This is something no family should have to go through.
"We have launched an immediate investigation and I would personally like to reassure the family that all necessary steps have been taken to get to the bottom of this incident."
Tweet
Showing comments 1 to 6 and replies | View All
andanotherthing, Mcr (15/01/2009 at 14:30)
lizard (15/01/2009 at 17:15)
Ross (15/01/2009 at 19:38)
There is no excuse for any NHS clinic not having the facilities to dispose of used needles safely.
Might I suggest less advertising for minor illnesses and take a radical idea of employing someone to ensure clinical waste is disposed of correctly and bins emptied on a regular basis.
chenny banana, longsight (15/01/2009 at 20:04)
andanotherthing, Mcr (15/01/2009 at 23:35)
I do agree with you. this should not be able to happen.
But, to ask that a parent actually looks after it's own child in a DOCTORS surgery full of sick people, is not to much surely.
I am not asking for ALL the time. Just 40 or so minutes out side of your home environment.
It is not a creche
Doobydoo, Worsley (16/01/2009 at 07:32)
I would suggest that there are faults/ failings on both sides.