According to the RCN's Needlestick injury in 2008 survey, nearly one-half of respondents had been stuck by a needle or sharp at some point in their career and 10% had sustained an injury in the past year.

However, 28% of nurses said they had never received advice from their employer about what to do after being injured and only 15% of respondents said they were offered prophylactic treatment after having been stuck or cut.

The survey of 4,700 nurses also revealed a stark contrast between settings. Some 17% of hospital-based nurses said they had not received advice after an injury compared with 42% working in the community.