A DIABETES sufferer says Colchester Council’s decision to charge patients to remove medical needles from their homes has created a postcode lottery.

Until recently, the service for people who need to use “sharps” at home had been provided by GP surgeries, which recycled domestic medical waste for free.

But the responsibility has been passed to councils.

Colchester Council is charging for the service while its neighbours at Tendring Council are providing it free of charge.

Kevin Starling, of Shrub End, Colchester, who needs needles for his diabetes, said: “Colchester has decided to levy a charge for this service, however Tendring does it for free, making it a postcode lottery.

“Colchester Council is being unfair, putting a financial burden on the sick.

“The irresponsible, or those that don’t give a damn, will dispose of them by fly tipping them or putting them in general waste, putting members of the public and refuse workers at increased risk.”

The costs, which include collecting many forms of medical waste, vary but include £4.28 for a large box for needles and syringes.

Mr Starling, 63, said he gets through seven needles a day for his Type 2 diabetes and had already been asked to now pay £140 a year for another service which at one stage was free.

He said: “The finance isn’t a significant amount but they all add up."

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “Clinical waste is a costly service, as it requires specialist collection and disposal.

“Councils have a responsibility to collect clinical waste where residents self-administer at home and may charge for this service.

“Each local authority will take a decision as to whether they can absorb the cost pressure or need to introduce a charge.

“We have carefully selected a contractor who is both expert in the collection and disposal of clinical waste and who delivers value for money for residents.

“Essex County Council understands this will give councils cost pressures, and have offered to cover 30 per cent of the costs.

“In Colchester, we have passed this discount on to the customer by reducing the contractor’s fees by 30 per cent.

“All administrative costs have been absorbed by Colchester Council.”