Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust became smokefree on National No Smoking Day, Wednesday 14th March 2012.

All smoking shelters have been removed from the Derriford Hospital site and smoking is not 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 found that people were standing around the entrances and complaints from patients and members of the public about smoking at our sites were increasing. Not only was this unfair to those who don't smoke and have no choice but to enter the hospital through this, it was also wholly inappropriate for an organisation offering healthcare.

"Therefore a decision was made by the Trust Board to become completely smokefree. This means smoking is not permitted inside any of our premises or anywhere within the grounds.

"Becoming a 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."

Becoming smokefree not only means cleaner and more pleasant environments but also offers 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 South West, new signage has been placed promiently around our sites. Multi-skilled VINCI Park operatives, senior management and site services staff are on patrol 24/7 to ensure that patients, members of the public and staff do not smoke on site.