Smoking rooms to close
Press Release 399, 30/06/2006
Smoking rooms to close at Leicester's hospitals
Staff at Leicester’s three main hospitals are looking to all patients and visitors to support the ban on smoking across all areas of the sites – including dedicated smoking rooms – starting next Tuesday, 4 July.
This follows a decision taken by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Board to introduce a total ban on smoking.
Earlier this year, two thirds of Trust members and staff who took part in a survey voted in favour of an outright ban.
From Tuesday no-one will be allowed to light-up on any part of the grounds or gardens as well as car parks and buildings across Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General Hospital and Glenfield Hospital. Those doing so will be politely asked by staff to stop.
UHL's Director of Nursing Pauline Tagg said: "It's our duty to protect the health of patients, staff and visitors alike and this ban highlights the well acknowledged fact that breathing other people’s smoke is both a public health hazard and a welfare issue.”
Touching on the strain that this ban could have on staff relations with patients and visitors, Pauline added: “We’re taking a very positive view of the decision.
“The experience of other hospitals is that the vast majority of people realise that this is a step in right direction for everyone because it will provide additional protection for non-smokers and create an environment more suited to helping people give up smoking.”
UHL will help promote the all-areas ban in a number of ways. Clear signs will be posted across the hospitals, recruitment adverts will include a reference to the policy and training will be offered to staff in advising patients and visitors on the policy.
As part of the scheme, free counselling and support is available to patients and staff who want to give up smoking. People can either call free quit helpline 0800 169 0 169 or visit www.givingupsmoking.co.uk.
ENDS
For further information contact Laura Skaife, acting media communications manager, on 0116 258 8715 or laura.skaife@uhl-tr.nhs.uk.
1.The Department of Health requires all NHS Trust's to make its buildings smoke free by the end of this year.
2. Around 111,000 people die every year from smoking or passive smoking, and the NHS as a whole spends more than £400m a year treating patients suffering from smoking-related diseases.
3. This policy applies to all staff without exception. Staff will also be encouraged to courteously remind any patients or visitors caught smoking that there is a total smoking ban.
4. Staff having difficulties with this policy will be invited to discuss the issue with their manager. Also, smoking cessation support will be provided which will include the provision of clinics and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) available for purchase via Trust pharmacies.
5. The Trust recognises that special arrangements may need to be made for some patients. Permission to grant such an exception can only be made by the nurse in charge of the ward in collaboration with the appropriate Matron.