Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 56
56
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 205
National naloxone programme absent in England despite clear evidence of lifesaving effects.
Conclusion
The evidence on the lifesaving effects of naloxone in counteracting opioid- related overdose is clear. We welcome the national naloxone programmes in the devolved nations but are concerned that no such programme exists in England. We also welcome the joint working between the Government and the devolved Drugs 79 administrations to expand access to naloxone. However, progress is slow. The need to expand and embed naloxone within services and communities is crucial to saving as many lives from opioid-related overdose as possible.
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepted, citing existing naloxone provision via local public health grants, £1.6 million from the SSMTR Grant for expansion, ongoing legislative changes by OHID to broaden supply, and efforts to implement availability in HMPPS community contact centres.
Paragraph Reference:
205
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The Government partially accepts this recommendation. The provision of naloxone is already included in the majority of local authorities’ public health grant spend. In addition, the expansion of naloxone is currently supported through the SSMTR Grant, which has supported the expansion of naloxone availability and use across England through £1.6 million in additional funding. OHID is in the process of developing legislative changes to enable more services to supply naloxone without a prescription, further updates will be available soon. We are working closely with HM Prison and Probation Service to implement the availability of naloxone in all community contact centres. In 2020/21, of all the people treated for opioid use in prison, 46% were provided with a naloxone kit on release.