Extra support for smokers wanting to kick the habit

Hampshire Hospitals staff, patients and visitors are being encouraged to make use of the Hampshire stop smoking service if they would like help to kick the habit.

From 1st October, no smoking will be allowed on the grounds of any of the hospitals run by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, a move will help to make sure that patients, visitors and staff are not exposed to cigarette smoke on their way into and out of hospital. Vaping and e-cigarettes will continue to be allowed to be used in outdoor spaces, away from entrances and windows.

The Trust’s drive to become smoke-free coincides with the start of Stoptober, Public Health England’s annual stop smoking event – and Hampshire Hospitals is providing additional support for patients, visitors and staff who would like to give up.

Nicotine replacement products will be available for patients on the wards and can be bought from the outpatient pharmacies at both Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

The Trust is also encouraging smokers to sign up with the Hampshire stop smoking service if they would like to give up.

After smoking on and off for more than 25 years, Terri Chivers (pictured), an administrator and receptionist working at the Trust, gave up on June 10 with the help of the stop smoking service.

“I would not have been able to do it without them,” she said. “They have lots of different options in terms of nicotine replacement therapy, I’ve found the weekly meetings really helpful and the team are great, sending me motivational texts and just being there for me if I need them.

“I used to have a really chesty cough, every single day. Since I gave up, that has totally gone and I’ve also been able to take up swimming, which there is no way I could have done before.”

Visit www.quit4life.nhs.uk for more information.