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Open petition: Require NHS staff who insert cannulas to have refresher training every 3 years.

Created by chloe marsden
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Many patients experience unnecessary pain, bruising, and distress when doctors or other NHS staff have difficulty inserting cannulas, often needing multiple attempts. In some cases, staff have even re-used the same needle, which is unsafe and increases the risk of infection.

Skills fade over time, especially for staff who perform cannulation infrequently, yet refresher training isn’t required nationally and policies vary between NHS Trusts. The Government should work with NHS England to introduce mandatory refresher training and competency reassessment every three years. This would improve patient safety, reduce complications, and ensure consistent standards across the NHS.

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    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 1 June 2026.