Unsafe needle-handling practices must be reduced by policies and training programmes to encourage safe needle-related practices, and ensuring that approved sharps containers are available in close proximity to where needles are used.

Aims and method All third year senior house officers (SHOs) training in psychiatry in Scotland were canvassed by a postal questionnaire.They were asked about their views on training and the Impact of the Caiman reforms In psychiatry. Results Results showed that 33% of trainees were not receiving one hour of consultant supervision per week. The quality of teaching in day release programmes was rated as average or poor by 75%. Three-quarters had not seen a copy of A Guide to Specialist Registrar Training, but had a good knowledge of the changes It proposed. Most were satisfied with their clinical training but expressed concerns about the Caiman reforms. Clinical implications The lossof the registrar grade has extended the time trainees spend as SHOs and there was concern that there would be a loss of breadth of training. We intend to repeat the survey In mid-1999, by which time the Caiman changes should be fully operational in psychiatry.