Statistics from the Northern Ireland Needle and Syringe Exchange Scheme: 1 April 2009–31 March 2010

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published a statistical bulletin summarising information from the Northern Ireland Needle and Syringe Exchange Scheme (NSES).

This is the ninth annual bulletin. It summarises information on people visiting the Needle and Syringe Exchange Scheme and relates to the twelve-month period ending 31 March 2010.

Key findings:

In Northern Ireland during 2009/10:

• There were 15,828 visits to participating services by users of the scheme. This is an increase of 18% (2,439 visits) on the 2008/09 figure (13,389 visits);
• A cin bin is a sealed container which is used to safely dispose of used needles and syringes: 51% of cin bins issued to users of the scheme were returned in 2009/10 compared to 53% returned in 2008/09;
• 153,625 syringes were issued in 2009/10, compared to 135,700 in 2008/09. This is an increase of 13%;
• Over four fifths of visits (86%) were made by male clients
• Over half (53%) of all visits were made by individuals aged 31 years and over, just over a quarter (26%) by 26-30 year olds and approximately a fifth (21%) by individuals aged 25 years and under;
• 125 visits were made by an outreach worker on behalf of a client; this is an increase of 16% (17 visits) since 2008/09 (108 visits). In total 3,200 syringes were issued by outreach workers in 2009/10 compared to 2,070 in 2008/09.

Notes to editors:

1. This information was collated by the Public Health Information and Research Branch (PHIRB) on behalf of the DHSSPS.

2. This is the ninth annual Bulletin reporting on information collected through the Northern Ireland Needle and Syringe Exchange Scheme, which was established in April 2001. Initially five pharmacies were involved in the scheme; by the end of 2009/10 there were twelve pharmacies and one Community Addiction Services clinic offering needle and syringe exchange. Services were chosen based on their willingness to participate, their location, and the assessed need for needle exchange in the locality.

3. The Bulletin presents information on the number of visits to participating services, the number of syringes issued and the proportion of cin bins returned. In addition, an age and gender breakdown is provided of users of the scheme, and also a breakdown of information on the number of visits that were made by an outreach worker on behalf of a client.

4. This publication is also available online.

5. Responsibility for the provision of statistical information on the NSES has now passed to the Information Team within the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB).

Additional information is available from:

Telephone: 028 9052 2520

Fax: 028 9052 3288

E-mail:

6. Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.