NGH supports No Smoking Day 14 March

Northampton General Hospital is supporting No Smoking Day on Wednesday 14 March, and encouraging smokers to Take the Leap and give quitting a go.

Health improvement coordinator Karen Timpson said: “We know that most smokers would really like to stop, but find it hard to. The ‘Take the Leap’ theme for this leap year recognises that giving up is tough, but the positive image and slogan speaks strongly to smokers, helping them to aspire to a smoke-free future.”

Chief executive Dr Gerry McSorley said: “We are taking a number of steps to ensure that all staff, patients and visitors to the hospital are protected as far as possible from the harm caused by smoking and the use of tobacco and exposure to secondhand smoke. We are working to support patients and staff alike to quit smoking and to help them to understand the health benefits from quitting.”

On Wednesday 14 March trained NHS Stop Smoking Service advisors will be on hand from 9.30am – 5.00pm in the cyber café (on Hospital Street, Area E) to offer free, friendly and non-judgemental advice. Call in and say hello and pick up a freebie!

• No Smoking Day displays will also be located in the pre-op admissions unit, integrated surgery outpatients area, chest clinic, cardiology and gynaecology departments
• New smoke-free banners have been developed and are displayed on lamp posts around the site to remind all visitors that the hospital is a fully smoke-free site - but support, help and guidance are available for staff and patients who wish to quit smoking.
• A health improvement DVD has been commissioned and is playing on new large TV screens in patient waiting areas. The film promotes healthy lifestyles around quitting smoking, healthy safe drinking and alcohol limits, the value of healthy eating, and benefits of physical activity.
• A staff training programme called ‘Time for a QUIT Chat’ is now available to staff to train them in the skills needed to offer brief advice to smokers on a large scale and make referrals to the NHS Stop Smoking services.
• Dr Gerry McSorley CEO is fully committed to driving down the prevalence of smoking within the workforce over the next few years by ensuring staff are fully supported to quit or in how to cope being smoke-free whilst on duty.
• The organisation-wide smoke-free site policy has recently been thoroughly reviewed and consulted on, with greater emphasis on pathways of support to quit and policy compliance.