Needle Exchange Packs and Service

Descriptions

This is a Public Health Agency Sponsored scheme. The Needle and Syringe Exchange Service (NSES) is an evidenced based public health intervention that is vital to the health and wellbeing of the entire community. NSES helps to reduce the potential of drug-related litter, decrease the risk of HIV and Hepatitis B and C within the wider population, and put individuals who use the service in direct contact with a health professional who can help them in engaging with harm reduction services. Forty needle exchange services are commissioned across Northern Ireland, based in areas where there is an existing pattern of people who inject substances, with the aim of helping to protect those with lived and living experience within those communities. Anyone who injects substances can use a needle exchange service at either one of the commissioned NSES or via a postal service option. This includes people who inject opioids, steroids, tanning agents or stimulants. A needle exchange pack is designed to allow people who inject substances to obtain hypodermic needles and associated equipment for the safe, hygienic injecting of various drugs. A core practice of NSES is to ensure each individual has enough injecting equipment for each and every injection. This tender seeks to appoint a supplier for the supply and delivery of these packs as outlined within the tender documentation.