Brussels, 11/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament recommends the urgent adoption and application of measures set out in the draft directive on applying a framework agreement on preventing needle-stick injuries in hospitals and healthcare in generals that has been signed by the European Association of Hospital Employers (HOSPEEM) and the European Public Service Trade Union Federation (FSESP). Adopting a resolution in Thursday lodged by the EP's Employment and Social Affairs Committee on the draft directive, the EP highlighted the need to 'protect Europe's healthcare workers from potentially fatal blood-borne infections due to injuries with needles and other sharp medical instruments.'
In the resolution penned by Elizabeth Lynne (ALDE, UK) and Pervenche Berès (S&D, France) that was agreed upon by a show of hands, the EP explains that 'needle-stick injuries may lead to the transmission of more than 20 life-threatening viruses, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/Aids, and thus present a serious health problem.' Experts believe that there are more than a million needle-stick injuries every year in the European Union.
The EP 'welcomes the fact that the Framework agreement entails a clause on minimum standards without prejudice to existing and future national and Community provisions that are more favourable to workers. Recalls that the Member States and/or the social partners should be free and encouraged to adopt additional measures which are more favourable to workers in the area concerned.' (L.C. trans fl)