University wins national award for drug overdose training partnership

The University of Bradford and New Vision/Waythrough Bradford have won a Student Nursing Times 2025 award for Partnership of the Year for an innovative drug overdose training programme.

The University became the first in the country to begin training all its student nurses in the use of naloxone, a life-saving medication which can reverse overdoses caused by opiates.

Judges called the programme “a shining example of innovation and effectiveness in reducing the risks and tragic outcomes of accidental overdoses among drug users”, adding it “challenges stigma, builds confidence, and enhances the skills of student nurses.”

The awards were held on Friday May 2 in London.

About Naloxone

The training is being delivered to around 400 student nurses every year in partnership with New Vision Bradford/Wayforward, which is commissioned to deliver drug and alcohol treatment in the area.

Assistant Professor Natalie Finch, pictured below, a registered mental health nurse who is experienced In working with people who use opiates said teaching nurses how to use the kits was a first for the university.

She said: “Naloxone has been available in the UK for individuals to carry for around 10 years. Whilst nurse education requires students to know how to respond to emergencies such as someone’s heart stopping, choking, or serious allergic reaction, there is currently no national requirement for nurses to know how to respond to an overdose. We think this is wrong. We are, as far as we know, the first university in the UK to train all our nurses in how to administer naloxone.

“This is about harm reduction. One element of that is how do we stop people dying of preventable overdoses. One of the things we can do is train people to use naloxone kits, which when administered immediately temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, which buys valuable time for the emergency services to attend.

“Naloxone kits are simple to use and widely available and can make a huge difference on the rate of deaths by overdose, which has been growing year on year for some time.”

Clear measurable impact

The Partnership of the Year was awarded for overdose awareness and response training and saving lives with compassion.

The judges said: “Delivered with passion and enthusiasm, this outstanding presentation impressed the judges with its powerful collaboration – including strong links with the third sector – and its clear, measurable impact.

“The programme is a shining example of innovation and effectiveness in reducing the risks and tragic outcomes of accidental overdoses among drug users. It challenges stigma, builds confidence, and enhances the skills of student nurses when engaging with people who have lived experience.

“The judges were particularly struck by its reach –training over 1,000 student nurses and contributing to a 50% increase in naloxone uptake. Now embedded into student nurse programmes and recognised by ambulance and police services, this initiative is not only sustainable but has incredible potential for broader adoption across emergency services and communities. A truly transformative programme.”