As one of only three nurses to have been elected as an MP I have always taken a particular interest in health issues and last year I attended a presentation by the Safer Needles Network (a sort of coalition of health professionals interested in needlestick injury) at the House of Commons.

Like all nurses I know how common needlestick injury is. I certainly suffered at least one in my 25 years as a nurse and in those days I'm afraid I didn't do anything much about it. Worryingly the evidence indicates that far too many of these injuries still remain un-reported leaving their recipients at risk from blood borne viral infections including Hepatitis B and C and HIV.

Much of the legislation and guidance in the NHS relates to protecting patients from infected workers and I don't argue with that. However the actual risk appears to be more the other way. So far five health staff have died from HIV infections directly attributed to needlestick injury incurred during employment.

Needlestick Injury is the second most significant cause of injury to NHS staff. That's not something we should ignore.I chose to work with the Safer Needles Network in highlighting the issue and producing a Private Members Bill under the Ten Minute Rule. There was little or no chance of such a bill passing into legislation but - as a method for MPs to highlight a concern or issue - it has worked extremely well.

The first reading was in front of a packed House and press gallery as we awaited a debate on Iraq and that has led to enquiries from media and colleagues alike. It has widened the sphere of interest with many contacts from manufacturers, construction and demolition workers, police, probation and many other public sector workers for whom needlestick injury is a real threat and concern.

The bill fell at the second reading as expected but the work continues.

I tabled an Early Day Motion the other day to help highlight the issue at the Commons again and already there are 52 signatories. We have had meetings with ministers and I shall continue to press for tighter guidance to Trusts on this important issue.

These things take time and effort but as long as I know that the Safer Needles Network are keen I'm prepared to give both. So I have no doubt that over time we will achieve the significant improvements in safety guidance on this issue that we all want to see.

Laura Moffatt is the Labour MP for Crawley