Minutes of meetings

Minutes: 19th July 2007

TELECONFERENCE

2pm Thursday 19th July 2007

MINUTES OF FORUM PLANNING GROUP

Present : Josie Smith (Chair), Carry Burton, Noel Craine, Steve Simmonds, Peter Lowe, Jill Coles, Erica Painter

Apologies: Steve Adams, Mike Mallett, Lorna Eastment, Dave Griffiths, Mike Williams , Craig

•  Welcome and introductions

Short introductions made, job roles stated by region:

•  Introduction of new Members

Three additional members have been invited to the Forum Planning Group:

•  Lorna Eastment - representing West Wales Substance Misuse Service and covering Dyfed Powys

•  Craig - a user representative from North

•  Mike Williams - representing community pharmacies in South East Wales

TOP

3. Agree Minutes - Action points

Minutes from 13.06.07 agreed as a true record

Action Points from 13.06.07

•  Action 1 - Collect information regarding previous and existing NEX data collection systems - information to be brought to meeting

•  JS had investigated a web-based system which was very good but many needle exchanges would not have access to internet for foreseeable future plus expensive to run.

•  NC advised of paper version used in Leeds where service users fill in form themselves - he is to re-contact Clare Sheppard (Leeds PCT) for more information

•  Alternatives discussed included paper-based recording forms that could then be scanned using optical readout machine and credit card systems

AGREED ACTION - subgroup comprising Josie Smith, Steve Simmonds, Mike Mallett and Peter Lowe to meet outside of arranged meetings to explore and develop potential data collection systems and identify resources required to implement

TOP

•  Action 2 - Clarify available dates for Annual Conference Feb/March 2008

JS had looked at various conference centres in North and South Wales , but group agreed accessibility and cost were important. JS and EP to clarify availability and cost of venues at end of Feb / beginning of March 2008

AGREED ACTION - Conference subgroup comprising Josie Smith, Erica Painter and Noel Craine to liaise and address issues including agenda, speakers, fundraising etc and feed back to group at next meeting

ALL WALES NEEDLE EXCHANGE FORUM NATIONAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON 20TH MARCH 2008 IN ASSEMBLY ROOMS, CITY HALL, CARDIFF

•  Action 3 - Provide information / contact details for all relevant national and international organisations

All members to be forwarded to JS

•  Action 4 - Progress development of website with Andrew Preston and NPHS

Website has been set up: www.wnef.org.uk

JS working with Exchange Supplies to further develop site. Site to be open to all including NEX workers and users and hopefully will incorporate the following pages:

Home Page with links

Terms of Reference and link to minutes of these meetings

Membership sign up page

Questions and Answers page

Library of relevant research, organisations, training and conferences

(Hopefully) location maps for all NEX services across Wales

Working groups pages (e.g. steroid users, young people etc)

TOP

•  Action 5 - Identify and invite those members not currently present

See point 2 - introduction of new members

4. Terms of Reference

Amended terms of reference agreed - see final version attached.

5. Agree future dates / meeting times

TOP

 •  Any other business

 Innovations in drug related waste disposal - PL to forward to JS models of best practice as developed by Blackpool and Nottingham

Raising awareness of Forum -

Options could include electronic distribution of flyers and newsletter to NEX and

drug service staff - would need to develop newsletter - to be addressed at the next meeting

Important role of forum members to raise awareness in their region