BRIGHTON & HOVE NEEDLE EXCHANGE SCHEME HANDBOOK (Medipack) CONTACT: Kathy Caley, Brighton & Hove City Council, Tel: 01273 296557 Email: kathy.caley@brighton-hove.gov.uk or CRI, Needle Exchange Service, Tel: 01273 607575 Published Date: Aug 2013 Review Date: Aug 2014 1 NEEDLE EXCHANGE Contents Page No. Aim, Objectives, Concepts and Service Provision 3 Client Profile, Young People 4 Performance Enhancing Drugs (Steroids) 4 Insulin and other non illicit substances 4 Disposal of sharps waste service 4 Confidentiality 5 Raising awareness on why needle exchanges exist 5 Why run a needle exchange? 5 Why do people inject drugs? What are the risks associated with injecting? 5 BBV Statistics – HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C 6 Ordering and delivery information 7 Equipment and Packs 7 Why are there 4 different needle exchange packs? 8 Detailed Pack Contents 8, 9,10 Citric and Water 10 Steroid Pack 10 Return of used equipment to the pharmacy 11 Collection of used equipment from the pharmacy 11 How can a client access treatment for their drug use? 11 Payment and Training 12 Step by step needle exchange procedure 13 BBV vaccinations and testing for clients and staff 14 Leaflets, Publicity and Logo 14 Needle Stick injuries procedure 15 2 Activity Sheet 16 List of Pharmacies providing a needle exchange 17, 18 NEEDLE EXCHANGE A free & confidential service for all injecting drug users (IDUs) AIM To reduce the transmission of blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and other infections associated with injecting drug use, through the provision of sterile injecting equipment and sharps disposal facilities. OBJECTIVES To make sterile injecting equipment freely and easily available to injecting drug users. To encourage and facilitate the safe disposal of equipment. To provide a friendly and non-judgmental service. To reduce associated harm to communities through the provision of sharps disposal. To offer advice, information and sign-posting to other services as appropriate. CONCEPT The philosophy of needle exchange is one of Harm Reduction, which is crucial to the successful delivery of the service. The aim is to reduce the harm associated with injecting drug use without moralising or judging the injecting drug user in any way. Importantly, harm reduction does not attach the requirement of abstinence but instead emphasises safe practice. Needle Exchanges are seen as an important public health measure and as such are backed by the National Treatment Agency, a special health authority, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. 3 SERVICE PROVISION The service is available to all adult drug injectors - notably heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, crack, injectable methadone and steroids. Equipment can also be supplied to carers and for secondary distribution. In order to successfully attract injecting drug users the service needs to be run in an extremely confidential and non-judgmental way. There should be as few restrictions as possible and therefore the service should be available throughout opening hours. The pharmacist does not need to be on the premises in order for an exchange to take place. Clients do not need to provide names, addresses or GP details in order to make use of the service. Once entered into contract with Brighton & Hove City Council the service is continuous until further notice. Either party may decide to discontinue the service with 3 months’ notice. Whilst the service was originally set up as a 1-4-1 exchange (ie one pack given out in exchange for a used bin being returned) this is now seen to be counterproductive. Consequently it is NOT necessary for a client to return used equipment in order that they may receive sterile equipment. The service is funded by NHS Brighton & Hove and managed by Amanda Marshall, Community Pharmacy Development Manager. CRI, the local Harm Reduction and Needle Exchange Service, support the service. Contact information for CRI: 11 St George’s Place Brighton BN1 4GB Tel: 01273 607575 Opening Hours:Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9am – 5pm Wednesday 9am – 8pm Friday 9am – 4pm Saturday 10am – 1pm NB: USERS ARE ABLE TO ACCESS CRI SERVICES FROM 10AM MONDAY – SATURDAY. CLIENT PROFILE Adult Injectors – 18yrs and over The Needle Exchange is primarily targeted at adult injectors, over the age of 18. The government deems that younger injectors are better suited to Young People’s Services where they can be given specialist attention. So young people should be referred to CRI, who will liaise with the Young People’s Services to ensure appropriate support is available. Performance and image enhancing drugs Performance and image enhancing drug (PIED) users (including anabolic steroids and growth hormones) are encouraged to use needle exchange services. Research indicates that this group is at an increased risk of 4 blood-borne virus transmission requiring similar harm reduction interventions as intravenous drug users (PIED users are intramuscular injectors). Insulin and other non-illicit substances Diabetic customers should not be using the needle exchange as there are alternative provisions in place for their particular needs. Diabetic customers should contact Brighton and Hove City Clean to request a sharps collection from Medisort. Contact details are as follows: City Clean: 01273 292929 This is the number to call for any new ad-hoc collections from self administering residents. Any residents having a regular collection in place will deal directly with Medisort and can contact them on 01903 719646 However, small and infrequent returns of diabetic needles should not be refused if the patient is unlikely to dispose of equipment appropriately. Please indicate on the activity sheet that the client was returning diabetic sharps. CONFIDENTIALITY DO NOT advise prescribers of attendance at the needle exchange, nor anyone else, without the client’s permission. Due to the confidential nature of the service, all personal information should be stored accordingly. All transactions should be conducted in such a way as to protect the dignity of the clients. Pharmacy Needle Exchange Scheme – Raising awareness on why Needle Exchanges exist. Why run a Needle Exchange? Needle Exchanges started in 1985 in response to a dramatic increase in HIV levels In providing a Needle Exchange we accept that clients will inject drugs regardless. The aim is to reduce the harm associated with injecting drugs By investing in Needle Exchanges we aim to: - reduce the levels of Blood Bourne Viruses (BBVs), - reduce the harm caused by injecting drugs, - reduce hospital admissions with injecting related conditions Why do people inject drugs? Injecting is, for many, a progression from smoking – when smoking is no longer effective due to an increased tolerance, injecting will deliver more of the drug to the brain to achieve a ‘hit’ Injecting is more cost effective as more of the drug reaches the brain 5 The effects of the drug are felt more quickly The effects are more pleasurable What are the risks associated with injecting? Transmission of BBVs Infection leading to Ulcers, Abscesses, Cellulitis and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Vein damage and vein collapse Overdose, risk of drug-related death BBV Statistics HIV In the 2010 Brighton and Hove Intravenous Drug User (IDU) Saliva Survey 3.3% of participants had HIV (1.2% nationally) HIV can be transmitted by sharing injecting equipment (blood to blood transmission) HIV can survive outside the body for several hours It’s estimated that there is a 1 in 300 chance of contracting HIV from a needle stick injury Hepatitis B In the 2010 Brighton and Hove IDU Saliva Survey 31% of participants had had Hepatitis B ( 17% nationally) Hepatitis B can be transmitted by sharing injecting equipment (blood to blood transmission) Hepatitis B can survive outside the body for up to 10 days It’s estimated that there is up to a 30 in 100 chance of contracting Hepatitis B from a needle stick injury Hepatitis C In the 2010 Brighton and Hove IDU Saliva Survey 65% of participants had Hepatitis C ( 49% nationally) Hepatitis C can be transmitted by sharing injecting equipment (blood to blood transmission) It is thought Hepatitis C can survive outside the body for up to 3 months It’s estimated that there is up to a 7 in 100 chance of contracting Hepatitis C from a needle stick injury Over half the people with Hepatitis C will go on to develop serious liver damage There is no vaccine and no cure for HIV 6 There is no vaccine for Hep C There is treatment available for Hep C but no cure. There is an effective vaccine available to protect against Hep B ORDERING AND DELIVERY OF PACKS Packs can be ordered direct from Medipack. The contact details are: Peter Green or Della Stapleton Medipack Solutions Unit 22, Calow Brook Drive Hasland, Chesterfield Derbyshire, S41 0DR Tel: 01246 274190 Email: mdmedical@hotmail.co.uk Please allow 3- 4 working days for delivery. In order for a successful service to be maintained it is essential that you never run out of packs. EQUIPMENT/PACKS (update) There are a number of different packs that are ready-prepared for convenient storage. Frequently Asked Question: What is included in each pack and what is it used for? Vitamin C Sharps Bin Alcohol Wipe Spoon Each pack contains 20 needles, 20 alcohol wipes, 20 sachets of Vitamin C (commonly referred to as Vit C), 20 small metal spoons and filters and a sharps bin. The packs are designed for individuals injecting heroin. 7 Frequently Asked Question: How is Heroin prepared? The individual will mix the heroin with the Vit C and water on the spoon and heat it. The Vit C is required to make the heroin dissolve in the water. The mixture is then drawn up into the syringe through a filter (like the filters used in roll up cigarettes) to filter out impurities, and the area of skin is wiped with the alcohol wipe. The individual then injects the drug. We advise that the area is wiped by the alcohol wipe before injecting to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria below the skin which can lead to infection, however it is not advisable to wipe the area after injecting as the alcohol swab hardens the hole left by the needle which increases healing time. The equipment in the packs can also be used for injecting other drugs – crack cocaine and steroids probably being the most common after heroin. Frequently Asked Question: Why do we provide 4 different Needle Exchange packs? Each pack – identified by its colour, contains a different collection of equipment. The idea behind providing 4 different packs is that we are able to offer a range of injecting equipment suitable for different injecting sites. The location and size of the vein the individual is injecting into will determine which pack is best for them to reduce the harm of injecting. Each pack, regardless of its colour, contains Vit C, metal spoons and filters, alcohol wipes and a sharps bin. The variation between the different pack colours is the type of syringe enclosed. Pharmacies usually report that the RED pack is most popular. This pack contains 1ml syringes: The 1ml syringes in this pack are commonly referred to as ‘insulin syringes’ as they were originally designed for skin popping rather than intravenous use. They are suitable for clients injecting into their arms. The arms are the most common injecting site which reflects in the red pack being most popular. The GREEN pack contains Nevershare syringes – 8 These are 1ml syringes and are relatively new in comparison to the insulin syringes. The Nevershare syringes have been designed for intravenous use and the needle is slightly smaller than that of the insulin syringe. From a harm minimisation point of view this is better as a smaller hole is left in the skin after injecting which heals more quickly. The Nevershare syringes also come in 5 colours – white, yellow, pink, green and blue. This is to prevent accidental sharing between people who use with others, thus reducing the risk of transmitting BBVs (Hepatitis B, C and HIV) through blood to blood transmission. We recommend encouraging clients currently using the insulin syringe to try the Nevershare. The YELLOW pack contains a 1ml barrel with a separate needle – a 1” length orange needle, commonly referred to as a ‘long orange’. The needle fits easily to the barrel. The long orange is suitable for injecting into the legs and some groin injectors will also use this. The long orange is a thicker, longer needle than that on the insulin or Never share. The BLUE pack contains a 2ml barrel with a separate needle – a 1 ¼” blue needle, commonly referred to as a ‘long blue’. This is suitable for injecting into the groin. This needle is much thicker and longer than the needle on the insulin syringe or Never share making it inappropriate for smaller veins – arms, hands and feet for example. The barrel provided is bigger than in the other packs – 2ml rather than 1ml, this is suitable for individuals with a higher tolerance who inject more heroin and therefore need more water to dissolve it in. Summary of pack contents: 1ML PACK (RED) 20 X INSULIN NEEDLES/SYRINGES 20 X SWABS 20 X VIT C SACHETS 20 X STERILE SPOONS 1 X SHARPS BIN 1ML PACK (YELLOW) 20 X 1 ML BARRELS 20 X LONG ORANGE NEEDLES 9 20 X SWABS 20 X VIT C SACHETS 20 X STERILE SPOONS 1 X SHARPS BIN 2ML PACK (BLUE) 20 X 2ML BARRELS 20 X LONG BLUE (1 ¼”) NEEDLES 20 X SWABS 20 X VIT C SACHETS 20 X STERILE SPOONS 1 X SHARPS BIN 1ML NEVER SHARE PACK (GREEN) 20 X 1ML NEVER SHARE NEEDLES & SYRINGES 20 X SWABS 20 X VIT C SACHETS 20 X STERILE SPOONS 1 X SHARPS BIN Frequently Asked Question: Why might a client ask for Citric or Water? Occasionally clients may request Citric or Water. These are available in the Open Access Needle Exchange based at 11 St. George’s Place where we offer a pick and mix service to clients. We supply water in 2ml ampoules long with a snapper for safely opening the ampoule. This is to ensure that clients who do not have access to a sterile water supply (for example those who are rough sleeping) do not use dirty water sources. Vit C was introduced to replace Citric as it is less acidic. From a harm minimisation point of view, Vit C causes less damage to the veins. Some clients however still prefer Citric. Citric Sachets Water Ampoule 2ml Water Ampoule Snapper for opening Pharmacies can order Water Ampoules and Citric from your usual supplier. There is also available a STEROID PACK targeted specifically at individuals injecting Steroids: 10 STEROID PACK 20 X 2ML BARRELS 20 X LONG BLUE (1 ¼ “) NEEDLES 20 X GREEN (1 ½ “) NEEDLES 20 X SWABS 1 X SHARPS BIN Clients are allowed to take as many packs as they require as they may be injecting 2-4 times daily or more depending on the substance. Consequently it is unlikely that anybody would request more than 3 packs in one go. If they do this might be because they are collecting for another person, which is equally acceptable. For statistical purposes and service development/planning, it is useful to know if a person is distributing to other injectors so please record this on your return sheet. RETURN OF USED EQUIPMENT Whilst the service is set up to allow easy access to sterile injecting equipment, the facility for sharps disposal should also be encouraged. Reports are made monthly as to the amount of equipment distributed and disposed of and pharmacies should be aiming for at least 50% of their equipment being returned. Pharmacies that have the highest return rates tend to keep their needle exchange bin in a convenient location, which is also the safest option, allowing clients to put their sharps in the bin themselves. Clients should always put their sharps in the bin; staff should not collect returned sharps and put them in to the bin. However, should a client continually neglect to return equipment the service should NOT be withdrawn. Keep encouraging the person to return their equipment and enquire if there is a particular problem that makes it difficult for them to return (for example, lack of transport or fear of police). Clients should ideally return used equipment in the individual sharps bin provided in the pack. If a client returns loose sharps or sharps in a carrier bag or other container, ask the client to put the items directly into the needle exchange bin and seal the lid immediately. Whilst we don’t encourage clients to return equipment in this manner, it is still preferable that they return items to the pharmacy rather than elsewhere. Please inform CRI if you are aware of a local ‘trouble-spot’ for discarded equipment. COLLECTION OF USED EQUIPMENT (NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE) PHS is the contracted clinical waste company for the needle exchange waste collection. This is a separate contract to any other items (such as returned medicines) and therefore it is necessary for a separate needle exchange bin to be used for this purpose only. 20 litre bins will be provided by PHS. Mark the bin with NX to make sure that no other waste is collected. Equipment wrappers, cotton wool etc can also be placed in the clinical waste bin but general household waste is not appropriate, nor are diabetic sharps or epipens etc. PHS should have contacted you to establish the frequency of collections. This frequency can be amended as necessary. If you have any operational queries, or would like to alter the frequency of your collection please contact PHS on 01204 704633. Frequently Asked Question: How can a client access treatment for their drug use? 11 Any individual who is misusing an illicit substance should be signposted to 11 St. George’s Place (located opposite St. Peter’s Church a couple of doors down from Domino’s Pizzas that is on the corner of Trafalgar Street. We have a blue shop front with frosted glass). At Number 11 we can carry out assessments for individuals to begin addressing their drug use. This could include substitute prescribing, counselling, the stimulant programme, detox or rehab. Individuals wishing to address their alcohol use should contact our service based at 9 The Drive, Hove. PAYMENT Payment for providing the service is £360 annual retainer fee (£30 per month) plus £0.90p for every pack given out. Payment should be claimed on a monthly basis via SONAR system ,cut-off date each month is 7th, and paid via Prescription Pricing Division payments. Payments are checked against the client sheets and therefore care should be taken to ensure they are completed accurately and legibly. TRAINING Community pharmacists based at a pharmacy providing the service should have the appropriate Harmonisation of Accreditation Group (HAG) certificate. The HAG training means that the pharmacist must complete the CPPE pack on Substance Use and Misuse within six months of starting to provide the service. In addition, free local training is provided for all participating pharmacists, their locums and their staff teams. It is a contractual requirement that all pharmacies participating in the scheme attend at least one training session per year. These sessions will also act as a discussion forum to review the scheme. Please feed back any suggestions, compliments or complaints to Amanda Marshall or the group at the training session. On-site training for pharmacists and their staff is available, arranged at flexible hours to suit the individual pharmacy – please contact Amanda Marshall, at the NHS Brighton & Hove. You may also wish to access the local website www.thinkdrinkdrugs.com; under the username: thinkdrinkdrugs and password: professional. . The website is designed for anyone who comes into contact with clients who are misusing or affected by drugs and alcohol. It is a one stop resource for access to: local and national documents, news teaching resources and a member’s forum. 12 STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGE ** ALWAYS KEEP SUFFICIENT STOCK & NEEDLE EXCHANGE WASTE BIN EASILY ACCESSIBLE ** CLIENT ATTENDS PHARMACY AND ASKS FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGE. ASK CLIENT WHICH TYPE PACK THEY REQUIRE (SEE PAGE 5 FOR CONTENTS). ASK WHETHER THEY ARE RETURNING ANY EQUIPMENT FOR DISPOSAL. YES, THEY HAVE RETURNS. NO, NOTHING TO RETURN. ASK CLIENT TO ENSURE SHARPSBIN IS CLOSED. GET CLIENT PUT THEIR SHARPSBIN INTO THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE BIN THEMSELVES. REMIND CLIENT THAT THEY CAN BRING THEIR USED EQUIPMENT TO THE PHARMACY FOR DISPOSAL. THE SERVICE SHOULD NEVER BE REFUSED BECAUSE THE CLIENT HAS NOTHING TO RETURN. GIVE REQUESTED PACK(S) TO CLIENT. ASK IF THEY WOULD LIKE A CARRIER BAG. PROVIDE HARM REDUCTION INFORMATION AS APPROPRIATE. FOR EXAMPLE, SAFER INJECTING ADVICE, DETAILS OF LOCAL TREATMENT AGENCIES & REFERRALS, WHERE TO GET BLOOD-BORNE VIRUS TESTING AND VACCINATION (SEE PAGE 9 FOR CLINIC DETAILS). COMPLETE THE ACTIVITY SHEET: CLIENT’S, APPROX AGE OR DOB, MALE OR FEMALE, HOW MANY PACKS AND WHICH TYPE TAKEN, HOW MANY 1LTR BINS OR EQUIVALENT RETURNED. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO SERVE THE PERSON THIS STILL NEEDS TO BE RECORDED WITH THE REASON WHY (EG: RUN OUT OF PACKS). IF YOU KNOW OR SUSPECT THE CLIENT TO BE IN RECEIPT OF MEDICATION YOU MUST NOT REPORT THE EXCHANGE ACTIVITY TO THE PRESCRIBER. IT IS A CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE. RECORD THE ACTIVITY ON SONAR. 13 HIV, HEPATITIS A, B AND C TESTING FOR CLIENTS The Health Protection Agency (HPA) 2006 report “Shooting Up” suggested that blood-borne viruses for Injecting Drug Users (IDU) are: HIV is found in 1:25 IDUs in London, 1:50 in Brighton Hepatitis C is found in nearly 1:2 IDUs in Brighton Hepatitis B is found in over 1:5 IDUs nationally, but with geographical variation, in 1: 3 IDUs in Brighton. It is a government recommendation that IDUs are tested for HBV and HCV and vaccinated against Hepatitis B. CRI provide a Hepatitis B vaccination service or people can be referred to the Claude Nichol Clinic (GUM) at Brighton & Sussex University Hospital Trust (BSUH), Eastern Road, Brighton tel: 07090 419 888. HEPATITIS B VACCINATIONS – STAFF The Department of Health recommends that staff participating in needle exchanges have a course of Hepatitis B Vaccine. General practitioners can vaccinate people in high-risk categories free of charge. This is optional but it is important that you are aware of the recommendations. Any person wishing to be vaccinated will be reimbursed if a cost is incurred for having the course of vaccine. A single booster dose is considered necessary every 5 years. The risk of blood-borne virus transmission for a needle stick injury when the donor is known to be infected with the virus is as follows: Human innunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1:300 Hepatitis C (HCV) 1:30 Hepatitis B (HBV) 1:3 Taken from Hawker et al (2005) 2nd Edition, Communicable Disease Control Handbook, Blackwell Publishing: Oxford. LITERATURE AND LEAFLETS There are many safer-injecting leaflets and information regarding the risks of injecting. These are freely available from CRI or the Health Promotion Library @ BSUH. The Health Promotion Library contact details are: Health Promotion Librarian, Library Services, Audrey Emerton Building 14 Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE Tel: 01273 523312 Fax: 01273 523305 Email: library.services@bsuh.nhs.uk PUBLICITY AND LOGO The needle exchange scheme will be widely publicised with posters and leaflets using the national logo. Therefore, it is important to display the logo in the door or window of premises. National logo Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Vicky Fenwick, West Sussex PCT, for sharing her documents and expertise. 15 NEEDLE STICK INJURIES A general rule of thumb is NEVER PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE YOU CAN’T SEE. GLOVES DO NOT NECESSARILY OFFER ANY PROTECTION. 1. In the event of a needle stick injury the wound should be encouraged to bleed and then washed thoroughly under warm running water. Dry and apply a plaster. Splashes of blood in the eyes or mouth should be irrigated with copious amounts of water preferably running water. 2. You should then report immediately (preferably within the hour) to the General Practitioner or to the local A&E Department, or Claude Nichol Clinic (GUM) stating at reception that you have suffered a needle stick injury. You do not want to sit in a 4-hr queue, as they should administer Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV and the sooner it is received the better chance there is of its effectiveness. Hep B Immunoglobulin and/or HBV vaccine will also be administered. You will be monitored for Hep C antibodies over the coming months. WHERE TO GO LOCALLY A&E @ BSUH, Eastern Road, Brighton 3. Where possible, take the implement that has caused the injury with you. It can then be tested for infection. 4. Support and counselling should be made available to you. 16 Activity Sheet – needle exchange Needle Exchange Pharmacies KAMSONS PHARMACY: 50 The Highway, Moulescoombe, Brighton, BN2 4GB Tel: 01273 686853 BOOTS PHARMACY: 119-120 London Road, Brighton, BN1 4JH Tel: 01273 603621 PAYDENS PHARMACY: 24 St James Street, Brighton, BN2 1RF Tel: 01273 681715 YOUR LOCAL BOOTS PHARAMCY: 1 Rock Street, Kemp Town, Brighton, BN2 1NF Tel: 01273 682618 GUNNS PHARMACY: 108 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2AA Tel: 01273 734227 WESTONS PHARMACY: 6-7 Coombe Terrace, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4AD Tel: 01273 605354 BLAKES PHARMACY: 91 Blatchington Road, Hove, BN3 3YG Tel: 01273 735108 BOOTS PHARMACY: 67-68 Boundary Road, Hove, BN3 5TD 17 Tel: 01273 412080 YOUR LOCAL BOOTS PHARAMCY: 4 The Parade, Hangleton, BN3 7LU Tel: 01273 733718 HARPER PHARMACY: 12 Hollingbury Place, Hollingbury, BN1 7GE Tel: 01273 505817 BOOTS THE CHEMIST: 57-61 George Street, Hove, BN3 3YD Tel: 01273 731591 SAINSBURYS PHARMACY: 361-367 Old Shoreham Road, Hove, BN3 7GD Tel: 01273 439257 ASDA PHARMACY: The Marina, Brighton, BN2 5UT Tel: 01273 811210 SUPERDRUG PHARMACY: 78 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2HA Tel: 01273 327402 WATTS & CO: 110 Dyke Road, Brighton, BN1 3TE Tel: 01273 327640 LLOYDS PHARMACY: Wellsbourne Health Centre, Whitehawk Road, Whitehawk, BN2 5FL Tel: 01273 606829 BOOTS PHARMACY: 129 North Road, Brighton, BN1 2BE Tel: 01273 207461 18