(2) what his Department’s policy is on the disposal of clinical waste arising from the management of diabetes; and if he will make a statement. [R]
Information about which primary care trusts have established policies on accepting diabetic clinical waste at general practitioner surgeries is not held centrally.
The Department published “Health Technical Memorandum 07-01: Safe management of healthcare waste” (copies of which have been placed the Library) to give clarification and advice to community healthcare professionals involved in the care of self-medicating patients, such as people with diabetes. It includes:
“Self-medicating patients and sharps disposal
19. Where the householder is a self-medicating patient who uses injectables (for example a person with diabetes) with no healthcare worker involved in the administration, the GP or healthcare worker should prescribe the householder the appropriate container (for example a sharps box) and advise them of local disposal options.”