Needle scare tot is in the clear

A TODDLER who was found with a needle in his mouth during a visit to a health centre has been given a clean bill of health.

The parents of Harvey Mills (2) originally feared he might have contracted hepatitis after putting the used needle from an overflowing sharps (needle) bin into his mouth in January.

Dad Daniel Mills (22) and his wife Shareen (28) faced months of uncertainty while waiting for test results following the incident at Canon Street Health Centre, Oldham.

However, tests have revealed little Harvey is fit and well much to the relief of his family.

Daniel Mills, of Broadway Street, Hathershaw, said: “While we are over the moon that Harvey has now been given the all clear, we are still upset that the incident took place.”

Mr Mills said NHS Oldham, originally told them it would be 12 months before the results were known.

Mr Mills said: “It has taken an agonising 16 weeks including phone calls to get the results.

“Harvey getting the all-clear is a massive weight off our shoulders but more importantly off his shoulders.

“We hope that no family ever has to go through what we have been through.”

The incident took place when Mrs Mills had taken their other son, seven-month-old Lewis for his immunisation.

NHS Oldham, which runs the centre, carried out an investigation and found two unsealed sharps bins had been left on the floor of the store room, which is against policy, and a storeroom door had been left unlocked.

Disposal procedures have since been reviewed and wall mounted sharps bin cages will be introduced on all sites by Monday.

Gail Richards, chief executive of NHS Oldham, said: “We are deeply sorry for the distress this has caused. This was something no family should have to go through. We launched an investigation immediately following the incident.

“We also took urgent steps to investigate how sharps were stored across the NHS Oldham area and took immediate action, where necessary, to make sure they were stored safely.

“We hope to meet the family to talk about the report, the steps we have taken and to repeat our apologies.”