Expanding access to naloxone: supply and emergency use

This Department of Health and Social Care consultation looked at proposals to expand access to naloxone, a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, helping to prevent overdose deaths and save lives. The NHF responded to this consultation on behalf of members in March 2026.

Why did the NHF respond to the consultation and what did we say? 

At the NHF, we responded to this consultation on behalf of the sector as our members run outreach and accommodation services that fall in scope of the proposed changes. In our response, we reflected our member’s strong support for the government’s proposals to expand access to naloxone by allowing hostels, day centres and outreach services for people experiencing homelessness to supply it without a prescription.  
 
NHF members feel these changes will save lives by providing more routes for providers to access and supply naloxone for people at high risk of overdose without prescription, rather than relying on referrals to external drug services. Availability of naloxone in accommodation and outreach settings would also create opportunities for early conversations about risk and harm reduction. 
 
We also urged the government to broaden legislative definitions of ‘hostel for homeless people’ to include dispersed and supported accommodation, to avoid unintentionally excluding certain accommodation models. This would make naloxone even more accessible to a wider range of residents and therefore reduce the risk of accidental deaths. Without a wider definition, services could find they are able to supply to some residents and not to others or risk non-compliance with the regulations. 
 
Our response is clear that the government must clarify procurement arrangements and ensure costs are fully subsidised, as many services will be unable to cover the costs of naloxone themselves. There is a need for strong governance, storage maintenance, and clear training to address concerns about confidence in administering the medication. NHF members also support proposals for publicly accessible emergency locked boxes, recognising their potential to increase awareness and access in high-risk areas. However, they emphasised that this should not come at the cost of funding for drug and alcohol treatment services.