Supply and Exchange Injecting Equipment for Individuals

Learning outcomes

1 Understand policy and procedures for the supply and exchange of injecting equipment

1.1 Describe organisational policies and procedures for supply and exchange of injecting equipment

1.2 Explain policy guidelines and legislation for needle exchange with children, young people and individuals with learning difficulties

1.3 Identify the potential benefits of brief interventions with substanceusers

1.4 Describe the range of behaviours that can be expected from substance-users, and how to deal with these

1.5 Describe how to recognise and deal with immediate risk of danger to individuals who have used substances

1.6 Describe the potential blood-borne viruses

1.7 Explain what to do in the event of a needle-stick injury occurring

1.8 Describe the range of substance misuse services available in the locality

1.9 Explain legal and organisational procedures and requirements regarding the recording, storage and passing on of information relating to individuals and work undertaken with them

2 Conduct initial assessment of substance users and provide relevant advice

2.1 Establish whether the individual is injecting and the frequency of injecting

2.2 Conduct a health assessment with the individual (e.g. noting skin conditions, abscesses, injecting sites)

2.3 Provide relevant and timely advice, e.g.:

Safe or safer injecting techniques and sites

Harm minimisation

Primary health

Safer sex

2.4 Provide advice and resources for safe storage and disposal of injecting equipment

2.5 Refer individuals to other services according to identified need

2.6 Liaise with providers of other services in line with policies and protocol

3 Supply and exchange injecting equipment

3.1 Demonstrate that:

Adequate stocks of injecting equipment are maintained

Injecting equipment is stored safely and securely

3.2 Dispense injecting equipment to individuals in line with the assessment of their needs

3.3 Demonstrate safe handling of dispensed and returned injecting equipment

3.4 Carry out the exchange process discreetly to maintain confidentiality

3.5 Describe how to deal with any spillages and discarded needles and syringes using the appropriate materials

3.6 Maintain records of:

Injecting equipment supply and exchange in line with organisational procedures

The needle exchange service