Services Database Needle Exchange (Manchester Area)

Manchester City Council is commissioning and funding the provider to provide a needle exchange as described in the specification.

• Pharmacies will provide access to sterile needles and syringes, and sharps containers for return of used equipment.
• Pharmacies will provide access to associated materials, for example, condoms, to promote safe injecting practice and reduce transmission of infections by substance misusers.
• Pharmacies will offer a user-friendly, non-judgemental, client-centred and confidential service.
• Used equipment is normally returned by the service user for safe disposal
• The service user will be provided with appropriate health promotion materials.
• The pharmacy will provide support and advice to the user, including referral to other health and social care professionals and specialist drug and alcohol treatment services where appropriate.
• The pharmacy will promote safe practice to the user, including advice on sexual health and STIs, HIV and Hepatitis C transmission and Hepatitis B immunisation.

The provider is required to ensure that all staff involved in the provision of needle exchange have received appropriate training and that all pharmacists involved are qualified and accredited and meet all of the required professional and ethical standards for the dispensing of medicines and provision of health information and advice.
The provider is required to ensure that all pharmacists participating in the delivery of needle exchange schemes undertake relevant learning and training – they have completed the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) current distance learning pack “Substance Use and Misuse”.