3. The first hour: first aid, report, occupational health

First aid

Encourage bleeding of a puncture. Wash with soap and water. Do not suck the wound. Eyes: irrigate with water or saline, remove contact lenses. Mouth: rinse, do not swallow. Then stop and report. Do not finish the filling “because we are nearly done” before you report a deep needlestick from a known high-risk source.

Report immediately

Named person, accident book, and the occupational-health or emergency pathway your practice uses — including out of hours. Source patient details may be needed for occupational health; that is a confidential clinical process, not a waiting-room discussion of someone’s HIV status.

Do not DIY serology

You do not decide your colleague’s HIV result on a rapid test you bought online. Occupational health (or the designated urgent pathway) decides risk, testing, and whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is offered. Time matters for PEP. That is why delay is the enemy.

RIDDOR and follow-up

Some exposures meet RIDDOR or other reporting tests — check current HSE lists and your competent person. Follow-up bloods and support sit with occupational health. The injured person may need time off or adjusted duties; that is health, not drama.

The source patient

Testing a source patient needs consent and a lawful process. Coercion (“we will not treat you unless…”) is unethical. Follow the written pathway.

Always follow your current occupational-health protocol the same day as the injury.