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Outlet Support Service Changes Significant changes to the way in which sharps waste is collected from outlets in the Needle Exchange Programme (NEP) are now underway. As a result of an audit of sharps waste conducted in February 2000 and recent changes to the Land Transport Safety Authorities Hazardous Goods Rules arrangements have been revised by the Ministry of Health and Needle Exchange New Zealand (NENZ). In order to comply with government regulations dedicated vehicles have been introduced for the transportation of NEP waste to incineration points around the country. These vans, pictured opposite, have segregated storage areas for hazardous waste as well as being used to promote the programme more widely. Each van will have a driver specially trained to handle hazardous waste. The drivers will collect full bins and supply empty bins, visiting every outlet in the programme every 8 weeks. Higher turnover outlets will be visited on a more frequent cycle to prevent storage problems with sharps bins. The new van based service will also supply consumables such as returns containers, condoms, lube and literature to all outlets as necessary. Stocks of new injection equipment will continue to be supplied from local needle exchange groups, however the vans will carry stocks of equipment for situations where stocks have run low and could possibly run out before the next delivery arrives. Advice and assistance with problems relating to NEP service delivery will also be available from Van drivers. - [SOURCE: NATIONAL COORDINATOR]  One of the new NEP support vehicles Ministry Announces Programme Review The Ministry of Health has announced a full review of the Needle Exchange Programme in response to the concerns of NEP stakeholders about unresolved issues with the Programmes structure and functioning. The review will be conducted by a third party contracted by the Ministry in order to provide an impartial point-of-view. The review is likely to take more than 6 months and to be completed next year. The terms of reference for the review are currently being finalised and this project should be underway within a few weeks. [ SOURCE: NATIONAL COORDINATOR] DIVO on the move The Dunedin needle exchange; DIVO has moved from its old offices in Moray Place to new premises at 17A St Andrews Street, in the city. The move was prompted by redevelopment of the old premises by the owner. [SOURCE: DIVO Trust] 
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