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First visit to Health Shop needle exchange

Posted By coralreef666

"First visit to Health Shop needle exchange"

About: Addiction services (community) / Health Shop, Harm Reduction & Sexual Health Services

(as the patient),

After recently moving to Nottingham I contacted my old needle exchange and was eventually referred to The Health Shop. I went to register today and expected it being the same as The Maltings...wrong!

At first I was told I could only have an emergency pack until I had had an appointment to register properly (why?), which they gave me an appointment for in 10 days.

They decided I could take what I needed eventually, so I told the women what I needed and happily went on my way... until I got home and found I had not been given everything I asked for, and most of what i had been given was wrong.

So it's Friday afternoon, they are now shut, and I don't know where else to get stuff from.

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Responses

Response from Julie Grant, Head of Communications, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 11 years ago
Julie Grant
Head of Communications,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Submitted on 13/06/2012 at 11:11
Published on Care Opinion at 14:45

picture of Julie Grant

Hello Coralreef666

Thank you for your feedback - I'm sorry you feel the service you received was not up to scratch. I will pass your comments onto the team and get some more feedback.

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Response from Neil Brooks, Team Leader - Chill Out Sound Support, Specialist Services Directorate, Substance Misuse, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 11 years ago
Neil Brooks
Team Leader - Chill Out Sound Support, Specialist Services Directorate, Substance Misuse,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Submitted on 15/06/2012 at 12:26
Published on Care Opinion at 13:48

I am sorry that you found your visit to The Health Shop unsatisfactory.

I am not familiar with the registration system at The Maltings, so I can not make a comparison. First time visitors to The Health Shop are usually taken through an assessment. This helps staff to know about the client so they can provide the relevant harm reduction information, and any risky situations can be addressed.

I understand from the staff, that you did not have time for an assessment on this occasion so the staff acted responsibly in providing you with an ‘emergency pack’ to see you through until the next mutually convenient appointment. Clients are advised to check what they have been given before they leave the building so that any problems can be dealt with.

The Health Shop does shut at 4.30pm on a Friday however there are other places to go. As you have access to the internet, I recommend you go to www.referrersguide.com for details on services and pharmacies providing a service to drug users in Nottingham, including ‘out of hours’ provision.

I hope that you return for your assessment at The Health Shop. The staff provide a very good service to many people and I’m sure you will find that your needs are met in a supportive way.

If you have any questions, or further feedback, please feel free to contact me via The Health Shop (0115 947 5414).

Thank you

Neil Brooks

Team Leader

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