Blackpool Teaching Hospitals (BTHFT) NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new service to support patients to stop smoking.
The Inpatient Smoking Cessation Service opened its doors on April 4, in which the trust’s Specialist Stop Smoking Practitioners will provide patients due to come into hospital with details of available support.
Once a smoking assessment has been carried out, the patients will be offered Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help alleviate nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
The Stop Smoking Practitioners will support patients throughout their hospital visit, but can also refer patients to the Community Stop Smoking Services for those wishing to continue their efforts once they have been discharged from hospital.
Shane Faulkner, Service Manager for Long Term Conditions, said of the new smoking service: “Smoking puts patients at risk of complications and can even delay recovery after hospital procedures.
“Smokefree hospitals and grounds, as we have at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, also create a smokefree environment for people trying to stop smoking and removes triggers that can cause people to smoke or relapse.
“Stopping smoking is one of the best things people can do to improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that most people who come into hospital who smoke, want to quit.”
Dr Jim Gardner, Medical Director, added: “Our smokefree service is not just rules about not smoking on hospital sites, it’s about actively treating patients’ addiction to tobacco.
“What is great about the support from the BTH Inpatient Smokefree Service is that we have Specialist Stop Smoking Practitioners on site to help really integrate tobacco addiction treatment into our patients’ routine care. We are really looking forward to making a positive difference to everyone’s health.”
In other service-related news, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS FT has launched a new sexual health service for people within the North Yorkshire region.
