Needles are a major cause of injuries

The National Audit Office, a public sector watchdog has found NHS staff are at a high risk of being involved in an accident at work.

BBC News Online talks to a nurse who was injured at work about how it affected them.

Lisa Wood, a critical care nurse from Northumbria District Hospital in North Shields suffered a needlestick injury.

"I was using a butterfly needle, a small needle with a long, thin, flexible tube attached.

Accidents happen, and they happen more when you're busy Lisa Wood, nurse

"I was taking blood from a patient. The butterfly needle sprang back as I went to get a plaster for the patient, and I pricked my thumb."

Ms Wood, who has over 30 years experience, went to casualty, where she gave a sample of her blood.

But because it was the middle of the night and the occupational health department was not open, she was not told a sample of the patient's blood also needed to be taken.

This is crucial, so that it can be tested for hepatitis C, which can cause fatal liver infections, and HIV.

Workload

Ms Wood said: "They asked me to have a hepatitis C test. It could have affected my insurance situation."

The patient involved was an elderly lady, so she decided not to have the test.

"But if it had been a younger patient, or a patient with a different history, it would have caused me more concerns and ! would have had the test."

She said high workload added to the risk.

"We are very careful. But accidents happen, and they happen more when you're busy."