The transfer of patients requiring long-term therapies from hospital to community care has increased demand for domestic clinical waste collections. Are those collection services satisfactory? A 2006 audit of community clinical waste collections identified many deficiencies (Blenkharn, 2008). Constraints on waste volumes and types and unreasonable collection times did not adequately support domiciliary healthcare, creating a burden for patients and their carers. Of particular concern were the adverse health and safety implications and the incomplete and often inadequate instruction and guidance provided to service users. What has changed?
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