The haemostatic valve assembly (10) includes a housing (14) with a chamber (16) therewithin. A flexible valve element (26) is located in the chamber (16) and supported by the housing (14). A resilient element (21), for example of foam, is located in the chamber (16) and applies a constant closing force on the valve element (26). The valve (10) can be opened by aspirating fluid held within the chamber (16), for example by means of a pump or syringe, thereby to create a vacuum therein which compresses the resilient element (21). Removal of the vacuum allows the resilient element (21) to expand again and to close the valve (10).
