A haemostatic valve assembly (18) is provided with a housing (24) having first and second ends (26, 28) within each of which there is provided an aperture of opening (30, 32). A flexible valve element (34) is disposed within the housing (24) between the first and second openings (30, 32). A mass of separate pellets (40) is located within the chamber (38) formed between the housing (24) and the valve element (34). The pellets (40) apply pressure to the valve element (34) so as to close the lumen (36) thereof. The pellets (40) are preferably made of a compressible material and such that when an element is inserted through the openings (30, 32) and thus through the valve assembly (18) the pellets (40) compress to allow opening of the lumen (36). The biasing force of the pellets (40) against the valve (34) provide constant sealing pressure to the valve assembly (18) without the need for any intervention by the clinician. The valve assembly is therefore entirely automatic.
