News: Northamptonshire smokers urged to be quitters on No Smoking Day 2016
Northamptonshire smokers urged to be quitters on No Smoking Day 2016
Smokers in Northamptonshire are being urged to take the first step in giving up cigarettes for good on No Smoking Day which takes place on Wednesday 9 March 216.
While studies show that two-thirds of smokers want to quit (1), nearly one in five UK adults continue to smoke, including 19.3% in Northamptonshire (2).
The Northamptonshire stop smoking service is holding an event at Kettering General Hospital on No Smoking Day to help smokers make this the day you start to stop. The event, staffed by friendly NHS stop smoking specialists, will give patients, visitors and staff an opportunity to find out about the quit options open to them.
Charlotte Goodwin, stop smoking service co-ordinator said: “We understand that the majority of smokers want to stop smoking, but many find the task too daunting. No Smoking Day is the perfect opportunity to inspire smokers in our area to quit for good. With our support, smokers are more likely to succeed in their quit attempt. That is why our team will be out in force on No Smoking Day at Kettering General Hospital.”
Find the pop-up event at the main entrance of Kettering General Hospital. The event also marks the roll-out of bedside stop smoking support across the hospital. Initially piloted in three wards, all in-patients at KGH will now be offered bedside assistance from an in-house stop smoking specialist. Results from the initial pilot wards have been extremely encouraging with 94% of patients that smoke opting to receive a bedside stop smoking service visit and over two thirds opting to quit smoking as a result. A bespoke behavioural and medication plan is part of the package patients can expect, as well as follow up care post discharge.
The service is also open to staff at the hospital. A case study (below) is available from a staff member who finally quit with the help of the stop smoking service.
Case Study
Donna Everson, who works as a clinical housekeeper on Ashton ward at KGH, recently quit smoking using the new in-house stop smoking service based at the hospital. It was the stop smoking service that finally gave Donna the tools and confidence to stop smoking for good.
With a family history of premature deaths exacerbated by smoking, Donna had tried to stop smoking on various occasions says, “It was the support that I received every week at work from the new stop smoking service that really got me through it. They weren’t at all patronising, I enjoyed seeing them and their help and advice made all the difference. I also used a different medicine – Champix – and they supported me on how to use it properly and what to expect.”
“Since quitting smoking my skin feels great and everyone comments on how much better I look. I’ve always been an active gym-person but I’ve got more energy and breathing is so much easier. Food tastes better and my sense of smell is now amazing.”