Wrexham dad’s anger as son steps on discarded needle

October 15, 2008

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Oct 14 2008 by Steve Bagnall, Daily Post

A DAD yesterday told of his HIV and hepatitis fear for his autistic son who trod

on a discarded syringe.

Davies was also angry Wrexham Maelor Hospital didn’t give nine-year-old

Jevan treatment when he took him to the accident and emergency unit.

Jevan stepped on the syringe while playing with friends near St Mark’s Church,

Bryn Eglwys Road, on Saturday October 4 and it punctured his left big toe.

Mr Davies, who has battled mouth cancer for years, said he rang his GP out of

hours service who urged him to take Jevan straight to A & E.

They waited for an hour and half before doctors saw them.

“I explained to them what had happened. They asked me if I understood the

situation with hepatitis and HIV and I said I knew there could be a problem.

“But they said the likelihood of catching something was in the thousands and it

was unlikely he would have been infected.

“I asked if what they were going to do, such as blood tests, and they said there

is nothing we can do.”

They advised Mr Davies if Jevan’s foot swelled up to go and see the GP or bring

him back, but he claimed the doctors did not clean or treat the puncture wound.

He said: “I came away from there panicking. I was horrified.”

Today his dad is taking Jevan to a GP for a hepatitis B vaccination and further

advice.

Mr Davies has written a letter of complaint to North Wales NHS Trust.

Maelor Hospital spokesman Andy Scotson said: “The accident and emergency

department would not have been able to test Jevan there for the infections, that

would have to be done through his GP.

“Medical staff should have cleaned the wound up and advised Mr Davies to go and

see his GP about tests and any treatment – if this didn’t happen then we

apologise.”

Mr Davies also blasted the drug user for discarding the needle.

“There are policies and help for a drug user, but an innocent child in the

community who could fall victim of a drug user through no fault of his own – it

seems to be ‘well if he’s got it he’s got it’.”

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