Services Database Needle Exchange (Derbyshire County Area)

Service Description

The service shall be delivered in line with the Derbyshire Pharmacy-based Needle & Syringe Programme Operational Guidelines in Appendix E. The service shall be operated by suitably trained pharmacy staff under the direction of a pharmacist.

They shall:

•  Register new service users on to the web-based monitoring system selected by the Council (currently PharmOutcomes).
• Record subsequent transactions on the monitoring system
• Offer injecting equipment on a ‘pick and mix’ basis
• Encourage service users to take sufficient equipment to allow the use of a new needle and syringe for every injection
• Give health promotion advice, including advice and information on how to reduce injecting related harms
• Participate in specific harm reduction campaigns in conjunction with the Council or its commissioned integrated substance misuse service.
• Refer service users to the integrated substance misuse service and other health and social care services as appropriate
• Strongly encourage service users to return all used injecting equipment to the pharmacy for disposal
• Accept and store returned equipment with due regard to safety
• Maintain sufficient stock levels and order replacement stock in a timely manner