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Needles found in the vicinity of hospital

Posted By They forgot me

"Needles found in the vicinity of hospital"

About: Broome Health Campus

(as other),

Recently I found 3 Needles in the vicinity of the Broome Hospital, one of them was on the boundary of the Primary School across the road. I understand that giving out clean needles is an important part of stopping the spread of infectious diseases. However, feedback I've received and personal experience when trying to dispose of a needle in the immediate vicinity of the hospital by returning it to the hospital and asking staff for a sharps disposal container, or where one is located etc has been received extremely negatively. I was made to feel like the most revolting person by the staff there, the way they looked at me was as if I was the junkie, but I was just a Good Samaritan that picked up a used needle in the hospital car park. I recall staff have also advised people that there are no sharps containers just throw it in the bin. This then puts your cleaning staff at risk of needle stick injury. 

Perhaps the Hospital could put sharps disposal containers near their entrance, and perhaps some other locations around the hospital that are accessible by both users and the general public. The Anne street/Mental Health end of the hospital grounds is also a hot spot for needles, so something around that area would be of help. 

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Responses

Response from James Sherriff, Operations Manager, Broome Hospital, WACHS Kimberley 8 months ago
We have made a change
James Sherriff
Operations Manager, Broome Hospital,
WACHS Kimberley

Submitted on 12/09/2024 at 5:04 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 13/09/2024 at 11:06 AM

Dear They forgot me,

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us. We truly appreciate your feedback and are genuinely sorry to hear about your recent experience.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge and thank you for your efforts in picking up and attempting to dispose of the needles you found. We understand the importance of proper disposal to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and to protect everyone’s safety.

I want to assure you that we are actively working with the Shire of Broome to address this issue. We currently have sharps disposal containers strategically placed across our site and have recently increased their numbers in response to areas of high demand. It is surprising and concerning to hear that you were advised there were no containers available. Please know that we accept and properly dispose of all sharps that are brought to us, and I am disappointed to learn that your experience with our staff did not reflect the high level of service and support we aim to provide. It is our expectation that all clients are welcomed and assisted with respect and care.

We will review and continue to assess the placement of sharp containers to ensure they meet the needs of both our patients and the general public. Your suggestion to place additional containers around the hospital, particularly near entrances and in high-need areas like the Anne Street/Mental Health end of the grounds, is very valid and will be taken into account as we move forward with our improvements.

Thank you once again for bringing this matter to our attention. We are committed to addressing these concerns and enhancing the safety and well-being of our community.

Warm regards

James Sherriff

Broome Hospital Executive

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by They forgot me (other)

Hi James,

Thank you for your response. I believe the needles found on/around Broome Hospital are all a result of the NSP program.

May I please draw your attention to your own internal Policy point 2.3.

"2.3 Return of Loose Needles and Syringes The NSP does not accept used injecting equipment, it informs clients of appropriate disposal methods and disposal sites within their local area"

https://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/WACHS/Documents/About-us/Policies/Kimberley-Needle-and-Syringe-Program-Procedure.pdf?thn=0

May I also please draw your attention to the Pilbara WACHs Policy. Section 7

"Occasionally, some clients may return used equipment to an NSP for safe disposal. The NSP cannot accept a used needle and syringe unless it has been fully exhausted (I.e. it contains no more than a residue of any drug).

In this instance, staff can:
a) direct clients to an appropriate means of disposal (I.e. sharps disposal unit) or

b) if appropriate, offer the use of a sharps disposal container.
Clients returning used needles and syringes must place these in an approved disposal receptacle. Staff are not to hold the container while the client is in the process of disposing of used needles and syringes."

https://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/WACHS/Documents/About-us/Policies/Operation-of-Needle-and-Syringe-Programs-Procedure---Pilbara.pdf?thn=0

Why are the two policies so different? I feel your policy also goes against your statement in the response "Please know that we accept and properly dispose of all sharps that are brought to us"

Please advise where these sharps containers are located. "We currently have sharps disposal containers strategically placed across our site"

Just yesterday I collected 2 needles from in front of the hospital on my walk to drop my child at school. I placed them into the large round bin up by the entrance as the 'needle' was missing so it was safe to do so. I spotted two on the return walk which I placed into your lovely staff member's sharps container who was walking the grounds picking up litter and sharps.

I walk this area daily and would like to know where these safe disposal locations are so that when I locate a needle I can dispose of it in the nearest safe location.

thank you

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