"Disposal of contaminated sharps"

My husband was discharged from Cannock hospital after surgery in Stafford hospital to pin his fractured hip.

He was given a 6 week course of injections to combat DVT. So far so good, good care etc.

We were told to take the used sharps to the doctors surgery for disposal. I did this 2 days ago. I received a phone call this morning to say that their courier would not take the sharps, because they were in the wrong box! Apparently, they should have been square, ours were round. I had to collect them.

I then took them to Stafford hospital, to be told that they wouldn't have them either! After pressing, I was told I had to take them to Martin Street in Stafford.

After visiting 4 buildings and speaking to the same number of people, I eventually found a young lady who was willing to take them off my hands, although she said that the hospital should have taken them. I do not think that the onus should be on me to have to find out where to take these. Is it any wonder that things like this get dumped in lay bys?

The health authority abdicated their duty of care in the efficient disposal of these items.