EU needlestick injuries initiative shelved again:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
For the second time in a fortnight, the European Parliament has had to shelve voting on a demand for EU legislation to reduce the estimated 1 million needlestick injuries reported annually by health professionals (see Clinica No 1209, p 2). Once more, it was bad timing that prevented a vote, since the item was again listed last on the agenda, and MEPs began deserting the chamber for lunch. It was considered unlikely that the necessary "supermajority" of 732 serving members could be reached, so an application has been made for the proposal to be referred back to the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, to wait for a more favourable voting slot.