No smoking policy relaunched across the Trust
Smoke free policy summary
Our Smoke Free Policy was updated in 2019 (a revision of the 2014 policy) with two core aims, to: protect patients, visitors and staff from second hand smoke; and support current smokers to improve their health by stopping smoking. The revised policy includes updated guidance on e-cigarettes, reporting smoking incidents and information around Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
The Smoke Free Policy applies to all people when on Trust premises and comes with three key objectives:
- Smoke free site for staff, patients and visitors: the policy covers all Trust premises (buildings, grounds and entrances), all Trust vehicles and, whilst Trust staff are present to perform treatments in patients’ homes.
- Identification of smokers: as part of commitment to CQUIN reporting, a clerking system is in place where all patients should be asked about their smoking status by their clinician and have it recorded in their electronic medical notes.
- Management of smokers: if appropriate, staff are encouraged to offer all patients and visitors a referral to stop smoking services and support staff to self-refer. Clinicians can also offer brief advice to patients, staff or visitors and point them in the direction of our stop smoking page on the corporate website.
Why it’s important?
Smoking remains the single largest cause of preventable deaths and one of the largest causes of health inequalities in England. Smokers not only die prematurely, they also suffer from poor health and often suffer from chronic illnesses such as COPD, Asthma and Cancer. Smoking prevalence amongst our patients in East London is generally high and it is estimated that smoking costs the NHS in England approximately £2 billion a year for treating smoking related diseases.
Tips to help you quit smoking:
- List your reasons to quit
- Find out what support your local stop smoking service offers and book an appointment today to stop
- Tell people you are quitting and quit with a friend or family member if possible
- Find out how much money you can save by quitting
- If you do want to stop by doing it alone you can visit this website for resources/apps
- Keep yourself busy
Health benefits of stopping smoking:
- Reduced rate of wound infections
- Improved wound healing and increased rate of bone healing
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Reduced likelihood of stroke, cancer and premature death
- Improved circulation and lung function.
The relaunch of Barts Health Smoke Free Policy is happening this January 2020 and we require the assistance and support of all patients, visitors and staff to maintain our reputation of being a fully Smoke Free environment.
If you are thinking about quiting, smoking cessation clinics are available to all at each hospital!