Needles are a major cause of injury

A report by the Commons public accounts committee says millions are lost as a result of staff taking time off ill and compensation payouts.

There were 135,172 accidents involving NHS staff at work last year, up more than a third on 2001. These ranged from minor bruises to major injuries.

MPs said the figures showed the NHS was failing to tackle the problem and urged the government to take action.

Not reported

The report, called Improving Management of Health and Safety Risks to Staff in NHS Trusts, shows NHS trusts have improved the way accidents are reported.

However, it found a "lack of consistency" in the way accidents are identified and reported.

Progress is being made but we still need to do more Sir Nigel Crisp, NHS chief executiveNHS,

Some trusts were failing to report accidents that resulted in staff taking three or more days of work, which they are legally required to do.

Overall, just 42% of accidents that are supposed to be reported under the law are reported.

MPs said the Department of Health needed to spell out what accidents should be reported and when.

"The department should develop strengthened national reporting criteria and encourage trusts to adopt reporting systems that provide better and more complete information about the type and nature of accidents," it said.

MPs highlighted the growing number of NHS staff who suffer needle-stick injuries. They called for better training to tackle the issue.

"The aim should be for trusts to reduce unnecessary use of needles; to upgrade their training for safer working practices; to evaluate the effectiveness of preventative measures; and to follow appropriate surveillance and reporting procedures," the report said.

MPs highlighted a number of cases where NHS staff received large compensation payouts as a result of accidents that could easily have been prevented.

In one case, an occupational therapy assistant received �600,000 after slipping on a wet floor and fracturing her right ankle.

She continued to suffer problems with her knee and ankle, requiring numerous operations and eventually had to have her right leg amputated below the knee.

'Disappointing'

Conservative MP Edward Leigh, chairman of the committee, said it was "extremely disappointing" that the number of reported accidents involving NHS staff had increased in recent years.

"Overall, accidents result in staff shortages and increased workloads which are detrimental to the quality of service to patients, and directly cost the health service over �170 million a year.

"This underscores the clear need for a national health and safety strategy in the NHS and for the department to ensure that the number of accidents is reduced in all trusts," he said.

Sir Nigel Crisp, chief executive of the NHS, welcomed the report.

"This is a vital subject. Everyone who works for the health service should be safe from injury at work.

"I know that NHS organisations are continuing to reduce the number of accidents that occur in the workplace.

"Progress is being made but we still need to do more."