A needle guard (10) for use with a needle assembly (12) having a needle (16) extending from a forward end of a needle block (18), the guard (10) comprises a hollow sleeve portion (26) having a front end (20) with an aperture (24) therein through which the needle assembly (12) may be retracted to a retracted position, in which the free end of the needle lies within the hollow sleeve portion. The guard (10) has a retaining portion into which at least a part of the needle assembly may be withdrawn to a retracted position, at least one locking mechanism (36) to retain the needle assembly in the retaining portion and at least one deflector (36, 102) that engages the needle (16) and/or the needle block (18) to deflect the needle (16) away from the aperture (24) when in the retracted position.
