Published on: 11th June 2016
Patients and visitors will no longer be able to smoke tobacco products at any Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) site, in a bid to tackle the smoking culture in mental health services across the country.
Smoking is currently permitted within designated areas of the Trust, but will cease with effect from 28th June 2016.
The move is based on National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, which recommend that all hospital sites, including mental health hospitals, should be completely smoke free.
Research shows that people with mental health problems are more likely to smoke, and to smoke more heavily, resulting in poorer physical health and lower life expectancy.
Patients admitted to inpatient wards will be fully supported to not smoke during their stay and Trust Director of Operations, Ian Jerams, said some staff are currently receiving bespoke smoking cessation training.
We recognise that preventing smoking on our premises will be a challenge for both patients and staff, that’s why we will be doing all we can to support people in their attempts to quit
he said.
Currently our inpatient nurses devote a lot of their time to escorting patients to designated smoking areas and we’d like this time to be spent on providing therapeutic activities. Help will include nicotine replacement therapy and behavioural support, and basic advice and signposting to other support will also be offered. In addition to this, a group of staff who work with inpatients have been trained to deliver more intensive smoking cessation support.
E-cigarettes and vaping will be permitted within outdoor areas of the Trust as long as it is not deemed a nuisance to others.
The move to LPFT smoke free has been led by consultant nurse Paul Barrett, who has been engaging with patients and staff over the past months, in readiness for the end of June.
A smoke free environment will help to create a healthier place for patients, staff and all visitors to the Trust
he said.
We want our patients and staff to enjoy the best possible health and there is lots of support available to help them through the change – whether they wish to stop smoking for good or for the duration of their stay with us. With the right support and help, smokers are more likely to succeed in their quit attempt.
