NHS needle approval

RNS Number:7509M
International Medical Devices PLC
29 January 2008


 INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL DEVICES WIN APPROVAL FOR ITS RETRACTABLE NEEDLE FROM THE
                            NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE


International Medical Devices plc, (IMD), the AIM listed healthcare company, has
won an endorsement to sell its Retractable Needle across the National Health
Service. From April, the NHS will market the needle to all 280 NHS Trusts
(including Scotland) through its approved product list. The retractable needle
will reduce the number of accidents that occur in the health service where staff
accidentally "stick" themselves when they are carrying out life saving tasks.

Currently, each of the 280 NHS Trusts are paying out an average of £600,000 per
annum to staff who have harmed themselves as a result of accidental needle
injuries including eight nurses who have tragically contracted HIV.

IMD's retractable needles are manufactured in China to a world class quality
standard, and operate by releasing the needle when it needs to be used and can
then be retracted into a protective housing when finished. To avoid infection,
the needle can only be used once and the housing has an automatic, tamper-proof
locking device to avoid reuse.

IMD has appointed InterVene Ltd to market the Retractable Needle across the NHS
Trusts. InterVene was founded by Matthew Root, who is the former Commercial
Director of IMD who decided to form the Company because of the massive benefits
the needle can provide in terms of staff safety and reducing the huge sums that
are paid out in compensation. It is expected that the first orders for the
needle will start in the second quarter of 2008.

Bill McGrath, Chief Executive of International Medical Devices, commented: "We
are delighted that the NHS has agreed to endorse our needles. Safety and the
eradication of injury and infection in hospitals is paramount and this product
will help to achieve both. It is a very simple device to operate and is price
competitive. We took the decision to appoint InterVene to market the needle for
us because Matthew has a unique understanding of the product."

Matthew Root, Chief Executive of InterVene Ltd, commented: "I am delighted to be
involved with the marketing of IMD's retractable needle. Needlestick injuries
are the silent threat that haunt healthcare systems all over the world. 
Surety(TM) Needle is a unique product which has benefits for both the NHS and
the veterinary market where the same, sometimes fatal, accidents occur.
InterVene has been established with the specific intention of distributing
safety medical products to the healthcare industry here in the UK and to export
markets around the world."

For further information, contact:

International Medical Devices Plc:
Bill McGrath                                         020 3008 4732

J M Finn Capital Markets:
Geoff Nash                                           020 7600 1658

Ends


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