Horrified mum sees toddler grab syringe of blood at hospital

Alfie Jackson, aged 23 months, got hold of the medical waste while his parents spoke to a doctor at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

His mother, Jodie Sykes, 22, was visiting her partner Dean Jackson, 41, when Alfie got his hands on the syringe that had been left on top of a sharps bin.

Miss Sykes screamed when she saw the toddler holding the container and was further shocked that staff did not take action until the next day.

She has now lodged a complaint.

Miss Sykes, of Huddersfield, said: “We were put in a room as a doctor was examining my partner, who was there to have an abscess removed.

“There was a syringe filled with blood and my son got hold of it. His hands were full of blood and before we could reach him, he put his hands in his mouth.

“There was blood all over his face, on his shoes and the floor.”

Alfie had tests and an injection the following day when his mother discovered there was supposed to be a procedure in place covering such circumstances. It will be three months until Alfie has the all-clear.

Hospital medical director David Wise apologised, saying it was “unacceptable and should never have happened”, adding: “We have reviewed the environment on the unit and are issuing a reminder to all staff that sharps boxes must be kept in a safe location to make sure that this does not happen to anyone else.”