Archived: South Tyneside Harm Reduction Service

Updated 12 July 2016

South Tyneside Harm reduction service is provided by NECA (previously known as the North East Council on Alcoholism). NECA is a charity based in the North East of England, providing services to people affected by addiction.

South Tyneside Harm Reduction Service is commissioned by South Tyneside Borough Council. The service supports people with addictions to minimise the risks associated with using harmful substances. The service carries out blood borne virus screening and assists people to deal with physical health needs related to their substance use. People who use the service can access a range of injecting and other harm reduction equipment. This is an open access service which operates six days a week. Nursing care including wound care and hepatitis A&B vaccinations are provided, as well as general health checks.

The CQC registered the South Tyneside Harm Reduction Service on 7 March 2011 for the treatment of disease, disorder or injury and for diagnostic and screening procedures.

The service has a CQC registered manager.

CQC had previously inspected the service in September 2012 and August 2013. There were no compliance actions following these inspections.

Updated 12 July 2016

We found the following areas of good practice:

• There were enough staff to meet the needs of people using the service. Staff had access to a range of mandatory and other specialist training. This included training in the delivery of brief health interventions.
• The service had developed effective links with other healthcare professionals to support the wider health needs of clients.
• Staff were caring and respectful towards clients.
• A mobile needle exchange was available for clients who could not access the service.

However, we also found areas that the provider could improve:

• The rear door access to the premises was not covered by a camera which made it difficult for staff to establish who was being given access to the building.
• Client records were not stored securely. This was resolved during the inspection, with a keypad being installed on the door to the records room.
• Completion of non-mandatory training was not being monitored effectively.