A retractable needle assembly (1) is disclosed comprising a body portion (10); a needle (50) having a forward end (52) and being movable between an operable orientation in which the forward end projects forwardly from the body portion, and a safe orientation in which said forward end (52) is retracted into the body portion (50). The needle assembly further comprises a deflector (70) mounted in the body portion (50), which is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the movement of the deflector (70) between its first and second position urges the needle into its safe orientation, the deflector being biased towards the second position; a latching mechanism which holds the deflector in the first position; and an actuator (90), operable to release the latching mechanism.