We have another new tool from Harm Reduction Works, a coverage calculator for needle programmes which lets you work out if there are enough fresh needles being distributed in your area.

I was lucky enough to have had access to this for a couple of months before it’s official release.

It seems the people behind the Harm Reduction Works campaign have been very busy recently. We’ve had new films on overdose (Mr Mange goes over), new training resources for overdose, a new DVD on HepC/HIV (I’ll be reviewing this soon) and now a coverage calculator for needle programmes.

What is it

On a basic level the Coverage Calculator tool allows you to find out if your area supplies enough sterile injecting equipment for every injector to have a new pin for each injection. This is of course important, as reusing equipment increases this risk of infections.

How does it work

It’s really simple, you enter four sets of figures for your geographic area:

• Number of illicit drug injectors
• Number of people in opiate substitute treatment
• Total number of syringes given out per year
• Number of syringes given out to steroid injectors

Figures for average number of injections per day and injections while in treatment are already filled in for you. Now hit ‘calculate’ and you’ll find out if the amount of kit you have in the area is in any way near to the amount you need.

Is it useful?

I have to say that I preferred the older 'pre-release' version of this tool. Now when you hit calculate you get the results and a standard bit of text con how to improve coverage which contains a link to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidance on NSPs. But the previous version included specific advice. This advice was not only on improving coverage but also what kinds of advice you need to give out if you are unable to improve supply levels, eg advice on pin cleaning. I can understand why this may have been removed from the final version but I still think it was one of its most useful aspects.

Who will use it

The Coverage Calculator is clearly aimed at service commissioners in England to help them work out if the amount of supply points and quantity of equipment can cope with demand.

I did exchange some emails with the developers before release talking about the possibility of making a version for individual services to use, but apparently there are no plans for this.

Looking at it I still think it has a use for individual projects, even if it is only to work out if the amount of equipment they are giving out is adequate to the people attending their service, eg where it says ‘Number of illicit drug injectors’ you enter the number of people attending your NSP this year.

I would like to remind you though that if you do this you really need to remember that not everyone who injects is going to come to you, I’d recommend at least tripling the numbers to allow for the needs of peer exchange.

Overall it is a really good tool, but could have been much better. I would like to see the original features returned, and possibly even a version for projects to use worldwide (this would make a great iPhone application).

Here is the Coverage Calculator website.