Owen Mumford selected as exclusive supplier for safety pen needles in Wales
Owen Mumford, a leading global expert in medical device design and manufacturing based in Oxfordshire, has been appointed as the exclusive supplier of insulin safety pen needles by the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership — Procurement Services [NWSSP-PS], hosted by Velindre NHS Trust.
AteriaSafeControl safety pen needles will now be used in every NHS Wales hospital setting, as well as by community nurses who have access to the new procurement framework. The device has also been added to the Drug Tariff after gaining approval from NHS Prescription Services, which means GP practices across the UK can now prescribe the device and pharmacies can dispense it to eligible patients.
Covering all health boards and trusts in Wales, the AteriaSafeControl active safety pen needle was selected for a four-year framework deal after a competitive tender process. NWSSP-PS aimed to standardize practice throughout Wales and streamline the variety of products being used.
The 2013 ‘Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare)’ Regulation promoted the use of safety-engineered pen needle devices, as much as was reasonably practical within the NHS, to improve safe and effective practices and reduce needle stick injuries (NSIs). Before this framework in NHS Wales, there was a mix of practices, with some areas using safety pen needles while others relied on standard pen needle devices and a separate needle removal device.
Clinical product trials on benchtops let stakeholders at NHS Wales experience and appreciate the benefits of AteriaSafeControl more thoroughly.
Paul Lee, Medical Device Training Manager at Swansea Bay University Health Board—recent adopters of AteriaSafeControl—said:
“When sharps safety regulations came into effect, we noticed that available devices weren’t ready—they were bulky and too expensive. But as the market progressed, we could tackle the continued use of standard pen needles, with an overall goal to drive down NSIs even more. Safety has always been the top priority. The trial showed that AteriaSafeControl worked just as well as other passive safety pen needles. Another key benefit was being able to clearly see the injection site, making sure the correct dose is given, while letting the healthcare professional use the same injection technique as with a regular pen needle. Looking ahead, we’re confident that switching to safety-engineered devices in NHS Wales will lead to fewer needle stick injuries.”
This contract win comes after Owen Mumford commissioned an independent special report, ‘Preventing Needle Stick Injuries and the role of Safety Devices.’ In an article from the report written by Medical Correspondent Peter Dunwick, it notes that ‘there are around 100,000 NSIs every year in the UK, with many more going unreported.’
Joanne Thompson, General Manager, UK & Ireland at Owen Mumford, said the framework award is a big milestone: “Being named exclusive supplier for all of Wales is a testament to our project team’s dedication and their drive to deliver an innovative product that meets the needs of HCPs and patients alike.”
Four warehouses in Wales now stock the AteriaSafeControl active safety pen needle, and every trust and board can place centralized orders to help streamline delivery and cut costs. Supporting the ‘Sustainability of Supply’ requirements in the tender, the devices are manufactured in the UK, with deliveries from Owen Mumford’s Oxfordshire factory located less than 150 miles away. The green cap on the pen needle is also fully recyclable and the cartons are FSC certified.