Hull City Council intends to award these contracts under the Direct Award Process B under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to these awards. The contract(s) are for the provision of Open Access Community Pharmacy Needle Exchange Services. The contract is anticipated to commence 1st June 2026 ending by 31st March 2031. The Authority has estimated the value of the services to be £175,000 in total.

The aim of the service is to provide needle exchange services to provide an open access community pharmacy Needle Exchanges to Service Users, including those who inject IPEDS (Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs) in Hull. Suppliers will deliver Needle Exchange Services which offer a level 2 service as defined in "Needle and syringe programmes" - NICE Public health guideline [PH52]. The Service is required to distribute "pick and mix" (bespoke) injecting equipment plus health promotion advice (including advice and information on how to reduce the harms caused by injecting drugs). As well as an integrated and multidisciplinary approach when responding to drug use, integrating the elements of drug misuse with dealing with the physical and emotional wellbeing of the individual. Further the service will also facilitate return and disposal of the equipment through commissioned waste disposal arrangements. The services will be delivered in alignment to the wider Public Health Agenda and in line with the vision for a recovery oriented alcohol and drug service.