A needle exchange will no longer be a part of the Kingston Wellbeing Service at its new location – wherever that turns out to be.

Public health bosses at Kingston Council have bowed to residents’ safety concerns, and have also promised visible CCTV and an emergency phone line at the as-yet-unknown site.

But a new report to councillors suggests the options are limited to just three: Surbiton Health Centre – the current base – Acre Road in Kingston and the previously-mooted Hollyfield House.

In September a consultation into moving the service collapsed, throwing into doubt the union of drug rehabilitation and psychological therapy staff.

Many of the service’s needle exchanges are already carried out at pharmacies.

A total of 27 premises were surveyed in the new review, but most were found to be too small or lacking facilities or public transport access.

The council has promised a more rigorous consultation this time around, after accusations it did not talk to enough residents or councillors during the first one in August.

  • New plans will be debated at a meeting this Thursday, November 27, at 7.30pm in Guildhall.