Three new safe havens to dispose of needles and syringes
People in the Newcastle area can safely dispose of community sharps in three new locations at Royal Newcastle Centre (adjacent to John Hunter Hospital), Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital and Wallsend Health Campus (former Wallsend Hospital).
Hunter New England Health Community Sharps Senior Project Officer Mr David Baker said access to the free 24-hour service would benefit many people who rely on using needles and syringes to maintain their own health or that of a family member.
“People with medical conditions requiring self-injection in the home (such as diabetes or renal failure) and drug users require a safe place to discard their needles and syringes. The installation of these three new disposal bins is an important way to actively encourage both patients and people in the community to safely dispose of their community sharps,” Mr Baker said.
With more people treating themselves in the home, Mr Baker said people should ensure their community sharps are always kept secure and separate from other wastes.
“Needles, syringes, and other equipment such as finger prick lancets that are used to treat medical conditions in the home should be disposed into community sharps bins or other disposal services provided by public hospitals, or participating pharmacy disposal programs and community sharps disposal bins provided by many local councils. Residents should contact their council for information about these services,” Mr Baker said.
Because of the high risk of injury to workers and other community members sharps should never be disposed of:
• In household waste or recycling bins (plastic syringes are NOT recyclable)
• In public litter bins
• By flushing down toilets or drains or by discarding into the environment
If you inject at home you should:
• Use a sharps container or puncture resistant screw top plastic container (NOT glass) The new hospital bins will accept most commonly used sizes of sharps containers
• Store container out of reach of children
• Seal lid of container when ¾ full and dispose of container in a community sharps disposal facility
While the risk of acquiring a serious infection as a result of an accidental injury from a
community sharp is extremely low, the anxiety resulting from such an injury can be significant.
If you find a syringe in a public place help protect your community by calling the Needle Clean-Up Hotline on 1800 633 353 or contact your local council.
Where are the new community sharps bins located?
- Royal Newcastle Centre: in front of the Royal Newcastle Centre (Lookout Road, New Lambton), just near the 10 minute parking zone
- Newcastle Calvary Mater: just outside the Emergency Department (Edith Street, Waratah)
- Wallsend Health Campus: Near Security office and Car park No 2 (Booth Street, Wallsend)
There is also a community sharps bin at Belmont Hospital in front of the hospital main entrance behind lattice work, with 5 minute parking available.
Contact: Gemma Smith
Phone: 4921 4501 or 0402 793 426