If Occupational Health Service advice is not available after a sharps injury, where should you seek guidance?

• A. GP
• B. Pharmacist
• C. Dentist
• D. A&E

Answer: (D)

Immediate management of a sharps injury requires urgent risk assessment and potential post-exposure treatment. If Occupational Health guidance isn’t available, go to Accident & Emergency. A&E departments are equipped to provide rapid infection risk assessment, arrange baseline blood tests (for HIV, hepatitis B/C), check tetanus status, and start post-exposure prophylaxis if indicated, all as part of urgent care. They can also arrange timely onward referral to occupational health or infectious diseases services. While a GP or pharmacist can offer guidance and follow-up, they typically don’t provide the same immediate evaluation and initiation of PEP that A&E can, and access is available 24/7, which is crucial for high-risk exposures.