Needle Exchange
Bolton’s main needle and syringe exchange is located at Bentley House with Bolton Drug Service.
The confidential exchange service provides clean injecting equipment such as needle, syringes, filters, swabs, and portable sharps bins, facilities to dispose of used equipment, and advice on harm minimisation and safer injecting practice. There is also a dedicated nurse who can provide healthcare advice and assessment, for example how to care for an infected injecting site. Staff at the exchange can also test for blood borne viruses like HIV and Hepatitis B and C, and offer pre- and post-test advice and referral for treatment if necessary. They can also offer vaccination against Hepatitis B.
The needle and syringe exchange scheme also operates from a number of pharmacies in Bolton. These are:
- Asda Pharmacy, Farnworth
- Boots Pharmacy,The Market Place, Bolton
- Cohens Chemist on Kentmere Road, Breightmet and on Waters Meeting Road, Bolton
- Deane Pharmacy on Horsefield Street in Deane
- Gatley's Chemist on Old Tonge Road, Bolton
- Hunt and Marsden Pharmacy on The Hillock, Harwood; on Crescent Road, Great Lever, and on Tonge Moor Road
- Landmark Pharmacy on Chorley New Road
- Manor Pharmacy, Hindley Road, Westhoughton
- Marsden Road Pharmacy, 6 Marsden Road, Bolton
- Marsh Pharmacy, Linfield Drive, Bolton
- Maxwell's Pharmacy, 830 Bury Road, Bolton
- Noble & Peacock, Chorley New Road
- Pharmavon at Avondale Health Centre
- Rigby's Pharmacy on Derby Street, Bolton
- Rowland’s Pharmacy, Chorley New Road and Market Street, Westhoughton
- S&S Dispensing Chemist on Deane Road, Bolton
- Sykes Chemist, St Helens Road, Bolton
There are needle exchange facilities available at 360° (click here for a map/more details) for people under 19 years old.
The central Needle Exchange at Bolton Drug Service (at Bentley House) is open Monday midday to 4:50pm, Tuesday, wednesday and Friday 9:00am to 4:50pm and Thursday 9:00am to 6:30pm
Please note that the Needle Exchange is not open during the Women’s Only session on a Monday morning.
Getting to the central Needle Exchange / Getting in touch
- You can get in touch by telephone on (01204) 544640
- Drop into the central needle exchange at Bentley House (map) or at one of the pharmacies or 360°