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Smoking at main entrance

Posted By Itsamee

"Smoking at main entrance"

About: University Hospital Wishaw

(as other),

Main entrance of Wishaw General constantly has people smoking and at times it’s clearly cannabis being smoked. Not only is this the main access point for patients, staff & visitors, it’s directly below the windows of the maternity unit, can’t imagine their staff & patients don’t have a problem with this. The fact that this is continually ignored seems to be giving the impression this is acceptable and the issue is worse than ever. Meanwhile it’s been deemed a necessary need to have an ongoing patrol of the same area for potential parking issues…ludicrous! As is the fact that hospital security staff claim to be unable to assist with problem. Seriously needs to be addressed by hospital management. 

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Responses

Response from Jennifer Montgomery, Improvement Coordinator, Quality Directorate, NHS Lanarkshire 4 months ago
Jennifer Montgomery
Improvement Coordinator, Quality Directorate,
NHS Lanarkshire

Operational Lead for Care Opinion in NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 14/02/2025 at 13:16
Published on Care Opinion at 13:16

picture of Jennifer Montgomery

Dear Itsamee,

Thank you for sharing your experience at University Hospital Wishaw.

I am sorry to hear about the smoking at the main entrance. As you will be aware, we do endeavour to prevent this however it is very difficult to manage.

I have passed your feedback to the relevant managers for review and reflection.

Best Wishes,

Jenni

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Response from Andrew O'Donnell, Head of Hotel Services, NHSL 4 months ago
We have made a change
Andrew O'Donnell
Head of Hotel Services,
NHSL

Head of Hotel Services

Submitted on 14/02/2025 at 13:20
Published on Care Opinion at 13:39

picture of Andrew O'Donnell

Hi Itsamee

Firstly thank you for getting in touch regarding this issue, as you will be aware this is a longstanding problem, unfortunately we have limited deterrents other than asking people to extinguish there cigarette or move away from the area, if they do not comply we have no other authority to enforce.

The two entrance parking attendants were established due to issues with FirstBus being unable to turn at the turning point due to parked cars on the roundabout as well as Patient Transport being unable to get patients to the drop off point, this has worked, but as you will appreciate not without some violence and aggression being shown towards them and to ask these to also try to control the smokers would be unfair.

Security will approach smokers during their patrols and request people to move away from the building or extinguish their cigarette, I have this morning after reading your message asked the Security Team to increase the frequency of these patrols.

Kind regards

Andy

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