What is the needle exchange service?
We offer an anonymous and confidential needle exchange programme.
Injecting equipment is available free of charge from the Alcohol and Drug Service and the General Hospital switchboard, located to the right of the ambulance bay at the Parade entrance.
Pharmacies who are part of the programme charge a small fee (see table below).
Who can use the service?
The service is open to anyone over the age of 18. If you are under 18 years old, you should visit the Alcohol and Drug Service to get injecting equipment.
What equipment is available?
All of the needle exchange outlets can provide you with:
- black Fitpacks (sharp safe boxes), which contain:
- 10 x 1ml syringes
- citric acid
- pre-injection swabs
The Alcohol and Drug Service and the switchboard at the General Hospital provide:
- yellow Fitpacks, which contain:
- 5 x 2ml syringes
- citric acid
- pre-injection swabs
The Alcohol and Drug Service also provides a variety of different sized needles and syringes, single-use disposable spoons, filters and sterile water amps.
Needle exchange location |
Days |
Opening hours |
Cost per Fitpack |
Alcohol and Drug Service
Stopford Road |
Monday - Friday
Saturday - Sunday |
9am - 5pm
(closed 1 - 2pm)
Closed |
Free |
Lloyds Pharmacy
David Place |
Monday - Friday
Saturday |
8.30am - 6pm
9am - 5pm |
£1.50 |
Lloyds Pharmacy
Burrard Street |
Monday - Friday
Saturday |
8.30am - 5.30pm
9am - 5.30pm |
£1.50 |
Lloyds Pharmacy
The Parade |
Monday - Friday
Saturday
Sunday |
8.30am - 6pm
9am - 5.30pm
10am - 2pm |
£1.50 |
Reids Pharmacy
New Street |
Monday - Friday
Saturday
Sunday |
8.30am - 7.30pm
9am - 6pm
9am - 1pm |
£1.50 |
Reids Pharmacy
Longueville |
Monday - Friday
Saturday |
9am - 6pm
9am - 5.30pm
(closed 1 - 2pm) |
£1.50 |
Boots
King Street |
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday and Saturday
Tuesday |
8.30am - 5.45pm
9am - 5.45pm |
£1.50 |
Boots
Queen Street |
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday and Saturday
Tuesday |
8.30am - 5.45pm
9am - 5.45pm |
£1.50 |
Guardian Medical
Saville Street |
Monday - Friday
Saturday |
9am - 5pm
9am - 1pm |
£1.50 |
Switchboard at the
General Hospital (Parade entrance) |
Monday - Friday
Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays |
8.30pm - 7am
All day |
Free |