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NICE needle and syringe programmes guidance and ACMD Hep C prevention report - the implications for commissioners and providers
Danny Morris, Development Manager, Drug Services, Herefordshire PCT and Independent Trainer and Consultant
Abstract
Hepatitis C is a significant public health issue. It has been estimated that in 2003 in England and Wales there were around 190,000 individuals infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is likely that over 80% of current HCV infections are due to injecting drugs and that around 50% of injecting drug users (IDU) in the UK are infected with HCV. Moreover, of those IDU who are infected, approximately half may be unaware that they are HCV positive.
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. (2009) 'The Primary Prevention of Hepatitis C Among Injecting Drug Users'.
In February 2009, in response to growing concern around increased HCV rates across the UK, both National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and Advisory council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) published concurrent and complementary guidance promoting optimal provision of needle and syringe programmes (NSPs) among IDUs.
These reports: Needle and syringe programmes: providing people who inject drugs with injecting equipment and The Primary Prevention of Hepatitis C Among Injecting Drug Users are for those with responsibility for commissioning and delivery of NSP's across the drug treatment sector. These reports make a number of recommendations that support those over 18 who inject illicit substances including opioids (largely heroin) and stimulants (for example, cocaine) either separately or in combination with (speedballing). Some of the recommendations are also relevant to adults who inject non-prescribed anabolic steroids and other performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs).
It is the responsibility of local commissioners in conjunction with service providers to implement the guidance and recommendations to ensure the development of enhanced service provision that reduces the transmission of blood borne viruses (BBV) among injecting drug users.
This interactive lunchtime meeting will commence with a brief presentation summary of the reports, including key recommendations, and give participants an opportunity to become aware of and discuss the implications for local commissioning and provider partnerships in meeting the public health needs of injecting drug users.
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Biography
Danny has 20 years experience in the drugs field, including in detached community work, outreach, HIV treatment and drug treatment. He has worked in the statutory and non-statutory sectors as both a practitioner and a manager. He has also worked as a commisioner in the drugs and HIV field.
Danny is currently the Development Manager for an NHS drug treatment service (DASH, Herefordshire PCT), providing a range of practical and therapeutic interventions for drug users, with the aim of reducing drug related harm. He is committed to the development of progressive, evidence based services and this is reflected in his other independent work as a trainer and consultant.
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