A Cleaner, Healthier Environment

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Written by Administrator

Tobacco kills. It kills 106,000 people in the UK every year. As a healthcare organisation the Trust cannot condone tobacco, and the Government wants all NHS organisations to be totally smoke free by the end of this year.

Over the last few months, the hospital Trust has been making sure that staff, patients and visitors are aware of the new policy. The Trust is also consulting with staff on the best way to offer support for those who do smoke and who may find the new rules difficult.

You can find our policy below as well as details of the NHS Stop Smoking Service.

Introduction

The aim of this Smoke Free / No Smoking Policy is to:

· Protect and improve the health of patients visitors, staff and contractors

· Protect both smokers and non-smokers from the danger to their health of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke

· Implement the recommendation of the “Choosing Health” Public Health White Paper, (Department of Health dated November 2004), that the NHS become smoke-free by the end of 2006 and the NHS set a health improvement example to other employers and workforces by championing smoke-free environments.

Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust considers that as a health organisation we have a responsibility to encourage good health and to help tackle causes of ill health.

Passive smoking – breathing other people’s tobacco smoke – has now been shown to cause lung cancer and heart disease in non-smokers, as well as many other illnesses and conditions.

Section 2(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, places a duty on employers to provide a working environment for employees that is:

“… safe, without risks to health, and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work.”

The Trust acknowledges that breathing other people’s smoke is both a public health hazard and a welfare issue. Therefore, the following No Smoking Policy is adopted for Trust premises, properties and grounds, including vehicles for business use.

The Trust sincerely encourages its employees to refrain from smoking outside the times and circumstances set out in this policy, both in their own interests and as representatives of a major public body, whose purpose is to improve health, whilst recognising this is a matter for the individual.

General Principles and Scope

All Trust premises, properties, grounds and vehicles are designated smoke free with effect from 8^th March 2006 – No Smoking Day.

This policy is part of a range of policies, which together comprise the Trust’s Health and Safety policies.

Work Areas

This policy will apply to all staff, patients, visitors, contractors and other persons, who enter Trust owned or rented buildings or grounds for any purpose whatsoever.

Smoking is not permitted in any of the Trust’s vehicles. This applies to both staff and members of the public who may be conveyed in those vehicles. The policy applies to all car parks.

Staff

Members of staff will be informed of the No Smoking Policy, the implementation date and support to stop smoking, via Trust newsletters, leaflets and the intranet.

Patients, Visitors and Contractors

Patients, visitors and contractors are expected to support the requirements for a smoke free environment.

The following arrangements have been made to inform them of its existence:

· Adequate signage

· Receptionist / person greeting will, where appropriate, inform the visitor of the policy.

· Patients will be advised of the new policy via the appointment letter, or other communication if required. Patients will be advised of the new policy on admission to Trust premises.

· Tenders and contracts with the Trust will stipulate adherence to this policy as a contractual condition. Existing contracts will be modified as soon as possible.

Sales of Tobacco Products

Sales of tobacco products on NHS premises are not permitted.

Recruitment Procedures

Advertisements and other recruitment paperwork will include reference to this policy. On their appointment, all new staff members will be give access to a copy of this policy. The Trust’s induction of new staff will ensure that they are aware of this policy and raise awareness of local NHS Stop Smoking Services.

Help for those who Smoke

This policy recognises that passive smoking adversely affects the health of all employees. Implementation of the No Smoking Policy will prevent passive smoking in all areas and protect all staff from second hand smoke. The Trust also encourages its employees to refrain from smoking outside the times and circumstances set out in this policy, both in their own interests and as representatives of a major public body, whose purpose is to improve health. In an effort to help individuals adjust to this new No Smoking Policy, the following support will be provided.

The NHS Smoking Helpline will offer workplace Stop Smoking support at appropriate sites, or staff may access Stop Smoking groups run in their local community by telephoning:

· NHS Smoking Helpline on 0845 602 3608.

Enforcement of this Policy

Responsibility for implementing this policy rests with the Chief Executive. Day-to-day responsibility fro implementation lies with Directors and Managers who will ensure mechanisms are in place so that the policy is adhered to at all times. All staff have responsibility for ensuring the policy is adhered to and will be given adequate advice on raising the issue of not smoking, and relevant support literature.

Any unreasonable, unauthorised periods of time taken away from the workplace, or failure to adhere to the policy will be subject to normal disciplinary procedures.

10.

Review of the Policy

This policy will be reviewed at regular intervals.

11.

Exceptions

The Trust’s Board recognise than some patients have circumstances which may require staff to assess whether special arrangements need to be made, permitting smoking on a Trust site. Permission to grant an exception will rest with the Nurse in charge of the ward or department.

In all cases where an exception has been made, there should be demonstrable evidence that smoking cessation has been fully considered as part of the patient care pathway, in conjunction with the patient and / or relatives.

Where an exception is made, every effort must be made to minimise staff exposure and the exposure of other patients, to smoke. This means that smoking is only permitted outdoors where staff and other patients are not in close proximity to the smoker. Ideally, this would also be out of sight of other patients, who may be engaged in a cessation programme.

12.

Stop Smoking Support

All staff and visitors will be made aware of the NHS Stop Smoking service. Support material will be readily available within the main reception areas on all sites.

This support will be for smokers, those wishing to quit and also to those who need help coping with withdrawal symptoms whilst in hospital.

If you have comments that would assist in the implementation of this policy, please contact a member of staff in the telephone numbers shown below.