For a while, Haverhill residents needing to dispose of used medical needles safely were forced to make a lengthy trip to Newmarket or Bury St Edmunds. That simply wasn't good enough. The community came together to fix it.
Councillor Joe Mason raised the issue at West Suffolk Council (WSC), the Town Council called for a solution, and I wrote to both the Integrated Care Board and WSC. I am pleased to say that pressure worked. From this week, residents can safely dispose of medical needles right here in Haverhill — at the new Stourview Wellbeing Centre on High Street (CB9 8AG). This is a key win.
You can see my communications with WSC from my office below:
COMMUNICATION WITH WEST SUFFOLK COUNCIL ON 27 MARCH 2026
We would be grateful if you could pass this enquiry to the most appropriate person within the council. Sharps disposal - Haverhill Nick has been made aware that the service for a safe disposal of sharps bins in Haverhil has been withdrawn and currently residents are required to travel to Newmarket or Bury St Edmunds, as per the attached link: Electrical, clinical and hazardous waste This requires residents of Haverhill to drive or use public transport for this facility. There is a risk that without appropriate methods of disposal these will end up in domestic bins or on the street.
RESPONSE FROM WEST SUFFOLK COUNCIL ON 7 APRIL 2026
As the waste collection authority, we have the responsibility to organise the collection of sharps from residents who self-administer. If treatment is given by a medical professional e.g. a nurse, it is the medical providers responsibility to dispose of all clinical waste. We established and fund the pharmacy network to provide residents who self-administer, a safe and free way to dispose of their sharps. At the moment we only have two pharmacies – one in Bury St Edmunds and one in Newmarket, that accept sharps on our behalf. It is disappointing that this service has now come to an end in Haverhill and we are in the process of exploring options urgently with our health and other town partners to see what alternative locations can be found for this. We realise how difficult this could be for some people, and we are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. As soon as we have a solution, we’ll let you know.
FOLLOW-UP FROM WEST SUFFOLK COUNCIL ON 23 APRIL 2026
Apologies for the delay in getting back to you on the issue of a sharps repository in Haverhill. We are pleased to confirm that people in and around Haverhill will be able to safely dispose of their medical needles at the new Stourview Wellbeing Centre from Monday 20 April 2026. West Suffolk Council, as the waste collection authority, is responsible for organising the collection of medical needles (also known as sharps) from residents who self-administer. It set up and funds a pharmacy network as a place people can safely dispose of their medical needles, but the Haverhill Pharmacy withdrew from this from 1 April leaving nowhere in the town that collects sharps. Now West Suffolk Council has worked with Haverhill Town Council to set up a new sharps collection point at the Stourview Wellbeing Centre. West Suffolk owns the building while the centre, which will formally open next month, is managed by the town council. We are very grateful for the positive assistance of Colin Poole, clerk at Haverhill Town Council, in reestablishing this service in its new home at the Stourview Wellbeing Centre.
