No butts- smoking banned at Oban hospital
CIGARETTE butts at the door of Oban’s Lorn and Islands hospital are unsightly and puffing at the front door needs to be stopped, said one visitor to the hospital last week.
NHS Highland said it promoted a healthy environment and regularly cleaned up the area - but apologised if it was a mess.
Hospital visitor Katie Boyd of Oban told the Oban Times: ‘ I have just been to the hospital this morning and attempted to enter by the side door, which I think was locked.
‘ I was absolutely disgusted to see all the fag ends sitting in a corner beside that door.
‘I spoke to a member of staff inside and said I was utterly disgusted to see them.
‘I commented that I saw the nurses and staff right at the end of the hospital grounds, facing the bus stop on Glengallan Road, having their cigarette.
‘ They have to obey the rules on smoking so why is nothing being done to stop patients and this disgusting habit right at the door of the hospital.
‘ They are not even being swept up but then I would imagine the cleaners are not responsible for that.’
A spokesman for NHS Highland said: ‘ We are committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors and staff and we have a no- smoking policy for the hospital and its grounds. The vast majority of the public comply with this policy and if anyone is observed smoking they will be reminded of the policy by our staff.
‘ The main entrance is also cleaned regularly as part of the cleaning schedule for the hospital and any rubbish will be collected and disposed of and we can only apologise if that has not happened on this occasion.’