Quit smoking support a hit with inpatients

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has been working collaboratively with Public Health teams from both Sandwell Council and Birmingham City Council to offer the programme to inpatients and those coming through the Lung Cancer Screening Programme (formerly the Targeted Lung Health Checks).

As a result, 20 per cent of those have resisted the habit over a four-week period and are continuing on the path to quitting smoking.

Steve Nelson, Lung Cancer Screening Programme Manager, said: “The results we’re seeing are really impressive.

“Both the Lung Cancer Screening Programme, and the smoking cessation initiative offered to inpatients are making a real difference and saving lives.”

Smoking cessation is offered to inpatients currently being cared for within cardiology, respiratory, acute medicine and maternity wards at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick.

This facility, along with all other Trust sites, is a smoke free zone, which also means no smoking within the outdoor areas.

Specialist nurse Sarah Dorrance has been appointed to support the programme, which sees patients prescribed appropriate Nicotine Replacement Therapy to support them in their journey.

Those who are discharged are referred to their local public health smoking cessation team for further treatment in both Sandwell and West Birmingham.

Steve added: “Hospital patients are more receptive to very brief advice and an offer of support to stop smoking, as they are often experiencing a period of heightened motivation to quit smoking as a result of their medical condition.

“Stopping smoking will not only benefit a patient’s long-term health by reducing the risk of developing smoking related disease, but smoking abstinence may also help a patient to recover quicker by eliminating the acute effects of smoking on the body.

"There is an evidenced benefit of stopping smoking in terms of hospitalisation outcomes and general outcomes.”