A needle assembly 10 comprises a needle hub 20 having a needle 22 and a needle shield 40 axially movable between a retracted position in which the tip of the needle projects beyond the shield and an extended position in which the tip of the needle does not project beyond the shield. The needle shield 40 is axially biased towards the extended position. The needle shield 40 is further arranged to be torsionally biased for rotational movement with respect to the needle hub 20. The axial and torsional biasing means may be a spring 30. In use (see figures 4A-4B), during retraction, legs 35 of the hub move out of slot 52 along ramp 53 to allow relative rotation until limited by legs 35 abutting rib 54. During extension, the legs 35 move along rib 54 into slot 56, locking the shield in the extended position. The needle assembly 10 may be packaged in an airtight wrapping 100, provided with a removable cap 600 (see figure 11A), or sealed by a tray 300 and a removable seal 400 (see figure 9A).
