The invention relates toan intravenous catheter apparatus comprising a catheter hub arranged at a proximal end of a catheter tube, the catheter hub having an inner surface defining a chamber a needle having a needle tip at its distal end and extending through the chamber and the catheter tube when in a ready position and a needle guard slidably arranged on the needle and received in the chamber when the needle is in its ready position, wherein the needle guard is configured to guard the needle tip upon withdrawal of the needle from the catheter hub.