Best for ditching the fags

NHS Tayside is currently the best performing health sector in the country for gaining the highest number of successful quit attempts made through its stop smoking service,‘Quit Your Way’.

The national target for NHS Tayside in 2019-20 is to achieve at least 486 successful 12-week quits for people living in the most deprived areas.

In the first nine months of the year, NHS Tayside recorded 460 quits, which is 94.7 per cent of its total target and the best performance in Scotland.

The local team is confident it will meet the annual target when the full year’s figures are published.

Consultant in public health pharmacy Dr Andrew Radley said:“We are proud of the success the people of Tayside have achieved in giving up smoking, and with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no better time to give up smoking.

“People that smoke are more likely to suffer from health issues that may require more regular visits to hospital and can suffer more harmful symptoms from a COVID-19 infection.

“Giving up smoking will put them in a better place to deal with illnesses affecting their breathing and lungs.

“This is why we try to make services as accessible as possible and in Tayside we also provide an incentive to those in communities most in need.

“The work of our community pharmacists has been vital in helping people in our communities achieve the best possible health, and smokers attending hospital appointments may also be asked to give up smoking by their consultant to help support their care.”

NHS Tayside has continued to offer specialist smoking cessation services within local community pharmacies, which provide free individual support sessions and the most effective treatment available to help people quit.

Residents can drop in to pick up stop smoking medication and access one-to-one support when it suits them.

The pharmacist will explain the medications available to help quit smoking such as Champix or Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).

They will then advise on the pros and cons of each to help decide which option is the best.

For help to stop smoking contact NHS Tayside’s‘Quit Your Way’service on 01382 424127 or visit www.facebook. com/nhstaysidequityourway

For more information go to www. nhsinform.scot/care-support-andrights/nhs-services/helplines/ quit-your-way-scotland