A Smokefree NHS
This page gives you information about Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s policy
on smoke free NHS premises. This policy applies to all patients, visitors
and staff within our hospital.
Why have a policy about smoking?
- The Trust has a duty to its staff and patients to protect them from the health hazard that smoking represents
- We are committed to promoting your health and preventing disease
- Smoking is a major cause of ill health and can greatly increase your risk of developing certain diseases, which cause heart attacks and lung cancer
- Breathing in other people’s tobacco smoke can damage your health
- Smoking is a major cause of fires
- Our policy means a smoke-free environment for all our patients, visitors and staff
Why do we want to create a smokefree environment?
- We recognise that there is a great deal of public support for no smoking on NHS premises
- We want to create smoke free public and patient areas
- We also want to give more support and help to patients, staff and visitors who would like to give up smoking
- We want to reduce the numbers of fires
- We believe the NHS should take a lead in providing a smoke-free environment
What does this policy mean for patients?
- Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the hospital; this includes all our entrances, car parks and grounds. This applies to staff as well as patients
What does this policy mean for visitors?
Visitors may come to our premises to visit patients, attend meetings or courses, as contractors or to deliver goods
- Visitors are not allowed to smoke on NHS premises; this includes all our entrances, car parks and grounds.
- There are no designated smoking areas for visitors
How can I get more information about how to give up smoking?
We know that our smoke-free policy may have an impact on smokers. Please ask for support or advice if you need to.
- If you are a patient please speak to a member of staff. Support is available to help you give up smoking
- The Health Information Centre has leaflets which give you more information on the facts about smoking, passive smoking and how to give up smoking. Please visit the Centre and help yourself to these, or ask a member of staff for advice
- Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust’s Stop Smoking Service offers support, advice and information and can arrange for the use of prescription medications which assist people in their attempt to stop smoking. Clinics are held at the hospital and at various venues and times across Poole. For further details call 01202 541507
Exceptions
A Smoke Free Trust does allow for the nurse in charge of a ward or unit to make an exception for an individual patient where this has been agreed as part of the overall care plan.
Where an exception is allowed, every effort will be made to minimise staff exposure to smoke. In addition, smoking in these circumstances will occur out of sight of other patients who may be engaged in a cessation programme.
How to tell us what you think about our policy on smoking?
If you have any comments on the policy you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison service (PALS) who are based at the Trust’s Health Information Centre.
Tel: 01202 448499, Fax 01202 448363 or email pals@poole.nhs.uk
Where to get more information:
The Health Information Centre
Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Longfleet Road,
Poole, Dorset, BH15 2JB
Tel: 01202 448003, Fax 01202 448363
email: healthinfo@poole.nhs.uk
The NHS Smoking Helpline
Freephone: 0800 1690169
We can supply this information in large print, on audiotape, or have it translated for you. Please call PALS or the Health Information Centre for further advice
Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Judy Jansson/Amanda Colman
March 2007
Review: March 2008
Health Information Centre/PALS
01202 448003 or 01202 44849