Published on: 13th October 2015
A new service to help people with severe mental health problems try to quit smoking is to be trialled by Trust staff.
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT), has been selected to run the new SCIMITAR+ study, which will offer a bespoke smoking cessation service to those experiencing schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, who want to cut down smoking or give up for good.
The Trust is looking for people, referred by a health professional, aged 18 or over, to take part in the study which will run for 12 months.
Patients will be split into two groups with half receiving treatment from a new mental health smoking cessation practitioner, and half receiving the usual treatment supplied to people who want to stop smoking.
The study is led by Professor Simon Gilbody from the University of York and is being run in conjunction with the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training, University of Manchester, and Hull York Medical School.
LPFT will be the first site for the study and Clinical Studies Officer, Lizwi Nyathi, who’s been trained as one of the new smoking cessation practitioners said:
The service is evidence-based and involves a combination of nicotine replacement therapy and a specific behavioural approach. It’s a structured programme but is flexible and tailored to the needs of patients. We would see people at home, liaise with their GP and offer support and advice throughout the trial.
Patients who are interested and have been signposted by a health professional will be given an information pack and will be followed up by a researcher.
For more information please contact Lizwi Nyathi on (01529) 416255 or Dr Jha (Consultant Psychiatrist) 01205 446634.
