Abstract: Epidural apparatus comprises (a) an epidural needle comprising a needle shaft having a tip to allow insertion of a distal end of the needle shaft through the skin of a human or animal body; (b) a sheath comprising a tubular member of plastics material adapted to surround a length of the shaft of the epidural needle but terminate short of the tip thereof, which tubular member, at a distal end thereof is also capable of penetration through the skin following insertion into the skin of the tip of the shaft of the epidural needle and which epidural needle is thereafter removable from the sheath; and (c) a catheter capable of passage through the sheath into the human or animal body.