Services Database Needle Exchange Scheme (Northumberland Area)

The service will deliver a healthcare package which provides needle exchange equipment to injecting drug users. This will include the sourcing and distribution of sterile injecting equipment and associated paraphernalia and the safe disposal of returned used injecting equipment.

All pharmacists delivering the service will need to demonstrate that they have completed the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Excellence (CPPE) distance learning course “Substance Use and Misuse”.

The pharmacist has a duty to ensure that all staff involved in the provision of the service have relevant knowledge and are appropriately trained in the operation of the service.

Relevant, on-going, harm reduction training will be provided to pharmacists and their staff by the commissioned drug and alcohol treatment provider.