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To see the presentation given by the NTA on the National
Needle Exchange Survey, click
here.
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To download the Word version of these minutes,
click
here. |
25th February 2005 at Friend's Meeting House, London
Chair of meeting: Terry Shields
Welcome and Introduction to the Day:
Terry welcomed everyone and introduced Brenda Nash, Alan Neill and
Pauline Rigby, who are involved in the Planning Group. He gave apologies
from Jim Camp (chair), George Ellis (Healthy Options team), Julie
Acton (Bridgend DAT), Rosemary Allgeier (National Public Health
Service Wales). (Jenny Scott was later added to the list of apologies).
Terry thanked the sponsors for the day, Daniel's Healthcare, Frontier
Medical, and NHS Logistics.
Minutes of last meeting and updates:
Terry informed attendees that the production of water ampoules by
Exchange Supplies, as mentioned at the previous meeting, was still
awaiting legislative changes, but it was hoped that they would be
available by summer.
Alan Neill reported back about the letter he had received from
BD about the faulty needles that had been reported. BD has since
closed down the factory where the faulty needles were being produced.
A few people mentioned that they were still discovering faulty needles
but it was agreed that these were probably from old stock.
Mari Ottridge reported that the DoH National Hepatitis C Action
Plan was published last year. The plan outlines a very broad framework,
with no extra resources identified. However, it does set out key
responsibilities for named people, which is an achievement. She
reported that those involved in the Action on Hepatitis C group
feel that the group may have achieved its goals and may not continue
in the same way in the future, but that she would keep the Forum
informed about this.
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Presentation: Needle Exchange Survey Research - Dawn Gordon and
Ross Coomber NTA
Dawn Gordon from the NTA spoke about the audit of needle exchange
services that the NTA will be undertaking between now and July.
The aim of the audit is to determine the extent and nature of needle
exchange provision in England, Scotland and Wales (with potentially
some work in Northern Ireland also). Data will be collected both
quantitatively (via questionnaires to DATs and pharmacy needle exchange
co-ordinators), and also qualitatively through focus groups.
Ross Coomber discussed his part in this project, which is an in-depth
case study that will be produced about an area in the South West.
This will involve interviewing managers of services and pharmacy
schemes, and DATs. The case study project will also involve interviewing
service users and also intravenous drug users who are not currently
using the service to determine what is working and what could be
improved. It is hoped that this part of the project will add some
depth to the rest of the service audit being undertaken.
(See copy of presentation
attached for further details).
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Topics of interest and issues for next meeting
Alan Neill asked the attendees if there were any issues they wanted
to discuss regarding the running of the Forum. There was a question
about what the role of the Forum had been historically, and how
things had changed in the last few years. Some of the long-serving
members of the Planning Group explained that it began quite informally
but has developed into a more formal body over the years as the
field of harm reduction and drug treatment has changed.
Alan asked the group what role they felt the Forum should be undertaking
now, and some people expressed a desire for the Forum to be a means
of sharing information and good practice between members, through
tools such as a website. Terry agreed that this was important and
the issue of the website would be discussed as part of the AGM.
There was some discussion as to the Forum's role in lobbying or
in research, and a few members of the Planning Group expressed the
view that the UKHRA was already doing a lot of this kind of work
and wasn't necessarily the role of the Forum, but that some closer
working between the two bodies might be useful. A few people expressed
the view that the Forum should have a bigger presence, particularly
at events such as conferences etc. Pauline Rigby explained that
the lack of resources has meant that this kind of work has been
difficult to undertake.
Ross Coomber referred to the draft Terms of Reference and asked
what the strategies were for meeting the aims as listed. Terry responded
that these would be discussed as part of the AGM, but that the Forum
needed to establish a core Planning Group which could then examine
the desirability and feasibility of obtaining funding in order to
meet the aims of the Forum.
One attendee thanked the Forum Planning Group who have worked on
the Forum for a number of years, and explained that the Forum had
been extremely useful for her when she started working in the field
of needle exchange.
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Issues for next meeting:
Issues that people would like to be discussed or presented at the
next Forum meeting included:
- Environmental issues, particularly around wastage and the transport
of waste. There has been a lack of clarity around the procedures
for disposal of waste from needle exchanges and this needs to
be cleared up. Susan Waldron reported that she had been in touch
with a lady from Greenwich council about waste policies. She said
that this lady might be worth speaking to about presenting at
the next meeting.
- Neil Hunt reported that he is doing some research into the escalation
of groin-injecting, which he might be able to present on at the
next meeting
- Steroid use - in particular the increase in steroid use and
trends for different geographical areas, different reasons for
use, what innovative ways services have developed to address this
issue.
Mari Ottridge suggested that in order for the Forum to be sharing
information it might be useful to share any information about service
delivery or trends that emerges from the next Forum meeting with
the NTA.
A potential date for the next meeting was set for 10th June, subject
to the availability of a venue and the Planning Group, speakers
etc.
Alan Neill asked people to please complete the questionnaires that
they should have been sent by Jenny Scott.
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AGM
Draft Terms of Reference
Amendments to be made include:
Role and Aims
- Clarify the initial description of the role of the Forum, possibly
finishing "…in line with public health and national
drug strategy".
- Get rid of the aim "To provide a voice for those working
in the field".
- 7th aim -change word "users" to "use"
- Change last aim to "organizations" not "agencies"
Membership
- Include reference to commercial organizations, but make explicit
that these will be associate members and do not have voting rights
Constitution
- Change first line to "the Forum will meet at least twice
a year", rather than three times.
- Make explicit that one of these meetings should take place outside
London.
- State that meetings must be advertised to all members one month
prior, to allow members adequate time to make arrangements to
attend.
- State that decisions of the Forum will be made by a majority
of those present at a meeting (assuming it has been advertised
a month ahead, as outlined above)
- Add the option of an electronic vote to the sentence about postal
voting.
- In the final paragraph make explicit that members will be asked
whether they wish their information to be shared with partner
organizations or commercial businesses (appropriate to their work),
and if they choose not to share this information it will be used
solely for the purposes of Forum business.
Election of Forum Officers
- Amend the second paragraph "Each individual and organizational
member will be entitled to one vote" to include reference
to associate members who do not have voting rights.
- Amend third paragraph about nominations for election, to reflect
that nominations must be made "not less than two weeks"
prior to the AGM.
- Amend final paragraph of this section to reflect that votes
of no confidence can be initiated by any member, supported by
ten members, and must be agreed by the majority at the next meeting
(this vote of no confidence must be received by secretariat no
less than four weeks prior to the next scheduled meeting).
Forum Planning Group
No changes
Commercial Organisations
- Amend to reflect the role of commercial organizations as associate
members with no voting rights, and remove the statement "They
may attend meetings of the Forum by invitation only".
Subject to the amendments as discussed these new Terms of Reference
were agreed by the majority of those present.
Action point: Brenda Nash agreed to ask members to indicate
whether they would like their contact details shared or not when
she sends out the minutes from the AGM.
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Nominations for Elected Positions
Due to a lack of nominations (only one received and nominees do
not agree), Forum was unable to vote for the elected positions of
Chair, Deputy Chair and Treasurer. Therefore, Jim will continue
to undertake the role of Chair, and Terry Shields as Deputy Chair
until further nominations and elections are held. Terry explained
that DrugScope had agreed in principle to act as Treasurer for the
Forum, dependant on finalizing the details of how this would function.
Action Point: Terry Shields to contact DrugScope finance
department to discuss details of Treasurer position
Action Point: Brenda to send all members information about
what is expected from each elected post (as was attached to the
nomination forms for this AGM), and ask people to register their
interest in standing for these posts. Once there are nominees for
these positions the Forum will vote.
Terry called for volunteers to work on the planning committee.
The following people registered their interest:
- Helen Wilks
- Mari Ottridge
- Mhona Dillon
- Vicky Fenwick
- Emilie Taylor
- Susan Waldron
- Sharon Rogers
- James Pierce
- Sam Pisano
- Pauline Rigby
- Nigel Brunsdon
- Alan Neill
Along with existing Planning Group members this means there are
now 17 people on the Planning Group.
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Website
Terry explained that Andrew Preston from Exchange Supplies had volunteered
to develop and host the National Needle Exchange website, and asked
those present to review the service contract that had been drawn
up in relation to this website. The group voted as to whether the
NNEF website should include a banner advertising Exchange Supplies,
and members agreed that it was appropriate. The group expressed
gratitude to Andrew for hosting the website.
Action Point: Brenda to announce the address of the website
to members as soon as it becomes available.
AOB
Neil Hunt asked members to complete the questionnaire that is currently
on the UKHRA website about the adequacy of responses to the prevention
of blood borne viruses and overdose. This website can be found at
www.ukhra.org
Close
Terry Shields and Alan Neill thanked attendees for coming to the
Forum meeting and for staying for the AGM.
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