Smokers banned from lighting up in grounds of main hospitals
Smoking shelters will be removed from the grounds of South Tyneside District and Sunderland Royal hospitals as the trust steps up moves to become smoke-free organisation.
To m a r k t h e s t a r t o f ‘Stoptober’ next month, the trust is removing all designated smoking areas in the grounds of its two main hospitals while a new speaker system at main entrances will remind people smoking is not allowed. It means: · Smoking is banned on any Trust site;
· Inpatients will be offered Nicotine Replacement Therapy to help them manage any cravings during their hospital stay and a referral for ongoing support;
· The Trust supports the u s e o f e - c i g a re tt e s i n t h e grounds but not inside buildings. It asks that these are not used at the entrances of buildings.
Ryan Swiers, Public Health Consultant at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: “By removing the smoking shelters we are sending a clear message that we are taking every possible step to discourage smoking and keep everyone on our sites safe from second hand smoke.
“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been more important time to look after our respiratory health.”
Smoking shelters are to be removed from the grounds of Sunderland Royal and South Tyneside hospitals.
William Walton, 50, is a patient at Sunderland Royal Hospital. The dad-of-two
from Whitburn, said: “I have a blood cancer called myeloma, so I regularly visit the Phoe
nix Unit for chemotherapy. I’ve got to come via the Kayll Road entrance next to the smoking shelters and it’s not nice for people to have to walk through smoke when they’re coming into hospital.”
Jarrow MP Kate Osborne said: “By creating a smokefree environment, the Trust is protecting those people from ex p o su re to s e c o n d h a n d smoke and immediate harm."
Fo r f u rthe r adv ic e a n d support to stop smoking, patients from Sunderland can call the Sunderland NHS Specialist Stop Smoking Service on 0800 169 9913, and patients from South Tyneside can refer themselves to the Change4Life Stop Smoking Service by calling 0191 424 7300. Or call the national NHS Smoking Helpline number 0300 123 1044
Fo r qu e r i e s a b o u t t h e smoke-free pledge, email stsft.prevention@nhs.net