A retractable needle assembly comprises a body portion, a needle having a patient end and being movable between an operational position in which the needle extends along a longitudinal needle axis with the patient end projecting forwardly from said body portion, and a safe position in which said patient end is retracted into said body portion, a deflector element rotatable about a deflector rotary axis generally perpendicular to said needle axis to move the needle to its safe position, and a manually operated deflector lever connected to or forming part of said deflector element, the deflector lever projecting from said body portion and intersecting a plane perpendicular to the deflector rotary axis and containing the needle axis.
