CPU2367 The supply of injecting equipment to pharmacy needle exchange providers in Nottingham City

Nottingham City Council is looking to re-design and commission a new needle exchange scheme in pharmacies across Nottingham City. As part of this, there is a requirement to commission a service to supply pharmacies with the equipment to distribute. The Nottingham Crime and Drugs Partnership currently commissions four Pharmacy Providers to deliver needle exchange across eleven branches in Nottingham City, on behalf of Public Health, within Nottingham City Council. Following the re-design and commissioning of the wider substance misuse treatment system, it is anticipated that this figure will increase. The Provider will be required to supply a range of high-quality injecting equipment to pharmacies delivering needle exchanges across Nottingham City in both pre-packed needle exchange packs, and individually to form a 'pick and mix' model. Needle exchange programmes are an excellent method of delivering a range of vital harm reduction interventions to injecting drug users and are an integral part of the drug treatment system in Nottingham City. The provision of sterile injecting equipment can significantly reduce the wide range of risks that are associated with injecting drug use which include; blood-borne viruses (BBV) and other physical health issues (ulcers, abscesses, DVT, etc.)