Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust will become smokefree on National No Smoking Day, Wednesday 14th March 2012.
In the next couple of months, the Trust will move towards going smokefree, which will ultimately lead to the removal of the smoking shelters currently on the Derriford Hospital site will be removed and smoking will not be permitted on any of the Trust’s sites.
Interim Chief Executive, Helen O’Shea said: “The Trust has been moving towards creating a smokefree environment for a number of years. We have been working hard to make our sites as smokefree as possible, particularly trying to move people away from the entrances and encouraging them to use the smoking shelters provided. However, particularly at Derriford Hospital, we are finding that people are standing around the entrances and complaints from patients and members of the public about smoking at our sites are increasing. Not only is this unfair to those who don’t smoke and have no choice but to enter the hospital through this, it is also wholly inappropriate for an organisation offering healthcare.
“Therefore a decision has been made by the Trust Board to become completely smokefree. This will mean smoking will not be permitted inside any of our premises or anywhere within the grounds.
“Becoming smokefree is great news for Plymouth Hospitals and reinforces the Trust’s position as a health promoting organisation with a responsibility for the health of its patients, staff and visitors.”
Sarah Wyatt, Head of Health Improvement for NHS Plymouth (Public Health) added: “NHS Plymouth is really pleased that Plymouth NHS Hospitals Trust have made the decision to make the whole site smokefree. The Hospital has taken a giant step, showing itself to be a role model organisation which will contribute to the overall reduction in the prevalence of smoking in the city and the surrounding areas.
“Stop smoking support has been available for patients, staff and visitors for some years now, giving people the chance to give up before admission to hospital and for family and friends to have the opportunity to support them in their effort and even to quit too. This move also includes the maternity unit. It is hoped that visitors to the unit will understand that this is about protecting and improving the health of everyone including unborn babies.
“Tobacco use affects the whole of the city. Smoking kills half of all long term users. By promoting a smokefree site Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust are leading the way in ensuring our children grow up in a community free from the harm that tobacco causes."
Plymouth City Councillor Grant Monahan, Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Social Care said: “Reducing health inequalities is one of our priorities and encouraging people to quit smoking is an important part of achieving that. We want to see people leading healthier lives in a healthier city and urge people to make use of the support services available to quit smoking.”
Making all Trust sites smokefree will not only mean cleaner and more pleasant environments but will also offer real improvements to the health of those smokers who decide to ‘stub it out’ for good.
With the help and support of our own Staff Health and Well Being department and the Plymouth Stop Smoking Service, patients and staff who wish to quit smoking or for withdrawal relief whilst at work are able to access free nicotine replacement therapy.
Funded by Smokefree Southwest, new signage will be placed prominently around our sites. Multi-skilled VINCI Park operatives, senior management and site services staff will be on patrol 24/7 to ensure that patients, members of the public and staff do not smoke on site.