Pledging a smokefree NHS future

As thousands of people join in Stoptober – the country's mass 28-day stop smoking attempt – The Royal United Hospitals Trust NHS Foundation Trust has signed the NHS Smokefree Pledge, committing to helping staff and patients quit smoking and ensuring its sites are smokefree from January 1st 2019.

Medical Director Dr Bernie Marden said: "Clean air is better for everyone, so we're clear that as a health organisation it's the right thing for us to do. Quitting smoking is a personal choice and we're encouraging everyone to make sure they're ready for not smoking on Trust grounds."

The NHS Smokefree Pledge is endorsed by a number of health bodies including Public Health England, NHS England and the Royal College of Physicians. BaNES and Somerset Clinical Commissioning Groups have also signed the pledge.

From January 1st 2109 smoking shelters on Trust sites will be removed. Vaping will be permitted, outdoors only.

In line with recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Trust's pledge will protect everyone who uses its sites from the dangers of second-hand smoke, and also create a supportive environment for those who are quitting.

The Trust's Occupational Health team will provide support for staff to stop smoking completely or help to manage cravings while at work. The Trust has also launched its Healthy Choices initiative, which involves screening inpatients who have been in hospital for 24 hours and then, where needed, providing advice about smoking and alcohol consumption. If appropriate, the patient is also referred for further support.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. The hospital provides healthcare to the population served by four Clinical Commissioning Groups: Bath & North East Somerset CCG, Wiltshire CCG, Somerset CCG and South Gloucestershire CCG.
• The Trust has 759 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services.
• In 2015 The Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was acquired the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) NHS Foundation Trust. The RNHRD treats patients from across the country offering services in rheumatology, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, cancer related fatigue and fatigue linked to other long term conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
• The RUH is changing - we have an exciting programme of redevelopment underway transforming our site and further improving the services we provide. The Trust is now working towards building a purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre and a new Dyson Cancer Centre. For more details visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk/fit4future
• For more information about the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk

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