Abstract
Introduction: The Smoking cessation forum was set up in Oct 2014 and leading on the development and implementation of a Smoke free policy for East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, to achieve smoke free status.
Methods: The group includes clinicians, nurses including specialist nurses and matrons, pharmacists, occupational health, estates and facilities, public engagement, communication and Hertfordshire Stop Smoking Service.
Result: The policy was approved by the Clinical Executive Committee. A Stop Smoking Specialist was appointed to support the delivery of the policy with a focus of providing training for front line staff on smoking cessation.
October 2015 pharmacy has provided a range of NRT products (patches, spray, inhalator, lozenges) as well as varenicline as ward stock items.
One year on and for the same time period Trust has generated 482 referrals and this equate to 35% more referrals from compared to similar trust last year and a 10% annual increase in referrals. Respiratory and outpatients have increased their referral rate from 27 to 75 and 125 to 180 referrals respectively compare with last year. Stop smoking Specialist clinic at Trust to support staff, patients and visitors to stop smoking, achieving 51% of clinic attenders quit smoking with 57% of staff managing to quit smoking.
During 2015, 20 Level 2 training sessions were delivered to 149 members of front line staff and 6 brief intervention sessions were delivered to 63 staffs.
There are several other events to promote smoking cessation, and now Trust has level2 smoke free status.
Conclusion: Having active forum bring much success in implementation of smoke free status at acute Trust in England, and should adopt this approach in other Trusts not achieving smoke free status.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016