London Joint Working Group on Substance Use and Hepatitis C

Whole genome sequencing service launched to tackle hepatitis C Latest data show continued progress towards elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat in England

However, resistance to antivirals does emerge. In order to monitor this situation more closely, @ukhsa.bsky.social has established a genomics surveillance programme, to look for genetic markers of drug resistance.

www.gov.uk/government/n...

Hepatitis C in England 2024

The @ukhsa.bsky.social has published its latest data showing continued progress towards elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat in England. Positive news as data shows a major drop in chronic HCV infections in England, with a 56.7% reduction since 2015.

bit.ly/3R6edLK

Working together to reduce drug deaths and address community concerns about drugs - NHS Ayrshire & Arran Over recent weeks, NHS Ayrshire & Arran has seen an increase in the number of people who use street drugs experiencing near fatal overdoses. Tragically, there has also been an increase in drug deaths....

NHS Ayrshire and Arran highlight an increase in the number of people who use street drugs experiencing near fatal overdoses. The article encourages people who inject drugs to carry naloxone at all times. Read more 👇

bit.ly/43F9NTw

The London Joint Working Group (LJWG) representing the Hackney Harm Reduction Hub with Dr Saket Priyadarshi and Gillian Ferguson from the Thistle Safer Drug Consumption Facility, Glasgow. @dolorescunniffe.bsky.social was made very welcome. We are outside the 'Chat Room' - language is important.

‘All eyes are on Glasgow’: UK’s first legal drug consumption room ready to open The Thistle will be available 365 days a year and provide a supervised space where drugs can be injected safely

The UK’s first legal drug consumption room opened in Glasgow on Monday morning.

Dr Saket Priyadarshi, Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services: "It’s another part of a system of care, another piece of the jigsaw responding to a very complex problem.”

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Update! The Hackney Harm Reduction Hub (HHRH) will support a nursing team from Guys and St Thomas at the Snow Hill Court, sleeping assessment centre London EC1A 2DH.
Monday from 10- 2.30 pm, 24th Feb- 1st April. Come and see us there.

Mon: 11.00am – 3.30pm, Narrow Way (Hackney Central, opposite McDonalds)
Thurs: 11.00am – 3.30pm, Narrow Way or Ridley Road Market (by the toilets)
Fri: 1.30pm – 5.00pm, Narrow Way, OR Ridley Road Market. We deliver needle and syringe & harm reduction support to your door Call FREE on 0800 061 4884

National HIV Testing Week is back and it’s never been easier to test for HIV. This week, we’re calling on people across England to test - it’s free and confidential. It’s also the only way to know if you have HIV and worth doing because people can live with HIV for a long time without any symptoms.

Kicking off National HIV Testing Week by making history!

Sir Keir Starmer has become the first UK Prime Minister & G7 leader to ever take a public HIV test.

This week, anyone in England can order a free HIV self-test, just like the Prime Minister.

Get yours at startswithme.org.uk

It Starts With Me Be part of the generation that stops HIV. Your body, your sexual health, your wellbeing – looking after them starts with you.

Next week is national HIV testing week (10-16 Feb). We're working with Terence Higgins Trust to improve uptake and reduce stigma #HIV @THTorguk. It’s never been easier to test for HIV: find out more here:

Where and when to find our Hackney Harm Reduction Hub.

Mondays: 11.00am – 3.30pm, Narrow Way (Hackney Central, opposite McDonalds), E8 1HR

Fridays: 1.30pm – 5.00pm, Narrow Way (E8 1HR) *OR* Ridley Road Market (by the toilets, E8 2NP). Contact us on 0800 061 4884 to find out.

Hackney Harm Reduction hub poster

Where to find the Hackney Harm Reduction Hub.

Mondays: 11.00am – 3.30pm, Narrow Way (Hackney Central, opposite McDonalds), E8 1HR

Fridays: 1.30pm – 5.00pm, Narrow Way (E8 1HR) OR Ridley Road Market (by the toilets, E8 2NP). Contact us on 0800 061 4884 to find out.

#HarmReduction #Hackney

Cocaine is most used drug in Glasgow consumption room New figures also show that the vast majority of people who have used The Thistle are men.

Since the UK's first legal Overdose Prevention Centre in Glasgow was opened on January 13th, it has been used 239 by 60 service users, predominantly men and for cocaine use. The service hopes to address rising drug deaths.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

When and where to find the Hackney Harm Reduction Hub: Mondays: 11.00am – 3.30pm, Narrow Way (Hackney Central, opposite McDonalds), E8 1HR Fridays: 1.30pm – 5.00pm, Narrow Way (E8 1HR) OR Ridley Road Market (by the toilets, E8 2NP). Contact us to find out.

Since last year, we have been running a peer-led Hackney Harm Reduction Hub. When and where to find it.

Follow the Hub's Facebook page for updates.

www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

When and where to find the Hackney Harm Reduction Hub: Mondays: 11.00am – 3.30pm, Narrow Way (Hackney Central, opposite McDonalds), E8 1HR Fridays: 1.30pm – 5.00pm, Narrow Way (E8 1HR) OR Ridley Road Market (by the toilets, E8 2NP). Contact us to find out.

Since last year, we have been running a peer-led Hackney Harm Reduction Hub. When and where to find it.

Image from NHS encouraging people to get tested now to help eliminate hepatitis C. 'The new NHS test-at-home service for hepatitis C is safe, discreet and easy to use. Order your free kit today.'

If you may be at risk of hepatitis C, you can now order a discreet at-home testing kit for free on the NHS.

Find out more here:

hepctest.nhs.uk/ref/ljw

#HepCantWait #GetTested #NoOneLeftBehind

First week figures revealed for Glasgow drug consumption room The Safer Drugs Consumption Facility in Glasgow opened on 13 January, letting people take substances under supervision.

Interesting story from Glasgow, where the UK's first legal Overdose Prevention Centre opened last week and has since been used more than 130 times. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Article from Pharmacy Together on the role community pharmacists can play in identifying overdose risks and providing naloxone. pharmacytogether.co.uk/reducing-ris...

DDN_Dec_2024 DDN December 2024/January 2025 | Page 18 We’re so quick to compartmentalise – as if that makes treatment easier. Early trauma, chaotic drug use... rehab. Social scene, few too many drinks, hiding a hangover... be careful not to overdo the le...

As we start a new year, good to see thoughts in @ddnmagazine.bsky.social on examples of #harmreduction, including mentions of our Hackney Harm Reduction Hub and the drop-in service run by @releasedrugs.bsky.social from their office in Tower Hamlets. viewer.joomag.com/ddn-dec-2024...

Image from NHS encouraging people to get tested now to help eliminate hepatitis C. 'The new NHS test-at-home service for hepatitis C is safe, discreet and easy to use. Order your free kit today.'

If you may be at risk of hepatitis C, you can now order a discreet at-home testing kit for free on the NHS.

Find out more here:

hepctest.nhs.uk/ref/ljw

#HepCantWait #GetTested #NoOneLeftBehind

We are delighted to be hosting the London Joint Working Group on Substance Use & Hep C’s meeting to share the findings of the fabulous @pwud-pride.bsky.social research on safer inhalation pipes