"The smokers make the entrance impassable"

Dear mcminn

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch. I am sorry to hear about the issues you and your mother experienced whilst attending the Same Day Urgent Care Centre and please pass on my apologies to your mother.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has a Smoke Free Policy which does not allow smoking on hospital grounds. This applies to all staff, patients and visitors. In addition, from Monday 5 September 2022, it became an offence for anyone to smoke within 15 metres of all hospital buildings in Scotland. This new legislation supports the Scottish Government’s voluntary smoke-free hospital grounds policy and aims to de-normalise smoking and reduce exposure to second hand smoke. The legislation, which was introduced in 2015, can be enforced by Local Authority colleagues who can issue fixed penalties and fines for anyone found to be smoking within the 15 metre boundary. For more information about the current legislation, please visit Hospital smoking ban:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/hospital-smoking-ban-public-information/

We recognise there are a number of challenges that are inherent across all hospital sites and we work in partnership with our Local Authority colleagues to ensure adequate and correct enforcement of the law. However, despite clear signage throughout each hospital, smoke detectors on some of our sites, and the enforcement through fixed penalty notices, where applicable, we have not been able to fully prevent smoking on hospital grounds, as you indeed witnessed. We also work closely with the QEUH Campus Police Officers in the monitoring and management of the smoking policy and also when we receive reports of any allegation of illegal substances being smoked. They also respond to this contact and speak to the person about this. Our experience to date illustrates that, in general, this is an extremely difficult and sensitive situation to manage, particularly in relation to patients and service users who may be provided with temporary accommodation within our facilities while they undergo treatment. It would be important to highlight that, whilst it is illegal to smoke in the hospital building and within the 15 metre perimeter outside, it is not illegal within the wider hospital campus site, although it is discouraged. I can confirm that our Site Management colleagues complete regular checks around our hospital campus, manage real time complaints and work closely with local Authority Environmental Health Teams, who are responsible for legislation enforcement. Creating smoke free environments continues to be a priority for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Kind Regards

Nicole