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Care Opinion

Health and Safety

Posted By non smoker

"Health and Safety"

About: Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow

(as a service user),

I am non smoker and wish to ask what steps are taken to police the smoke free zone. When I visit the stench of smoke not to mention the dirty and polluted smoke air is extremely concerning. To add insult to injury the hospital corridor is no better because the wind carries the smoke as well as the dirty cigarette butts. I want an answer to my issue as it totally contravenes all elements of cleanliness and health and safety particularly in the QEUH.

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Responses

Response from Julie Craik, Patient Experience Public Involvement Manager, Patient Experience Team, NHSGGC 6 years ago
Julie Craik
Patient Experience Public Involvement Manager, Patient Experience Team,
NHSGGC

Submitted on 01/12/2017 at 09:43
Published on Care Opinion at 12:07

Dear non smoker,

Thank you for taking the time to post your feedback. I am sorry to hear about your experiences when visiting the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. I will share your post with my colleagues in Facilities and ask that they provide some feedback on here to what you have raised.

Kind regards

Julie

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Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 6 years ago
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 08/12/2017 at 10:18
Published on Care Opinion at 14:51

picture of Nicole McInally

Dear Non Smoker,

Please let me reiterate Julie’s sentiments – I am sorry that you had to experience the campus not in the best light.

As you are aware, smoking on hospital grounds is not acceptable and directly contravenes the Board’s policy. As you experienced, there are a number of challenges in enforcing a smoke free environment that are inherent across the campus, and indeed our other sites. Despite clear signage, the issuing of guidance notes and smoke detectors on some of our sites, we have not been able to fully prevent smoking on hospital grounds. Our experience to date illustrates that, in general, this is an extremely difficult situation to manage. It would be important to highlight that, whilst it is illegal to smoke in the hospital building, it is not illegal within the grounds – yet. NHS Scotland smoking related policy prohibits the use of shelters on hospital sites, however, Scottish Government legislation has been approved to support smoke-free grounds. This is currently going through the required procedures at Parliament with a suggested implementation date of 2018.

I am sorry that despite the efforts above, you still encountered people smoking when you visited which confirms the difficulties we have encountered in trying to enforce the policy. I hope you will be reassured that we share your concerns and that we will continue to explore alternative options which will allow us to manage the very difficult issue of smoking on hospital sites.

NHS staff are encouraged to challenge smoking activity they witness on site. The changing population of patients and visitors adds to the difficulties experienced, however there is increased focus within entrances due to the passive smoking concerns that you have raised. Our Grounds and Garden’s contractor are on site and do pick up the cigarette ends. Unfortunately you are correct in that they can blow in through open doors and our Facilities and Domestic colleagues will remove these if they are seen.

Please accept my apologies once again.

Mandy Machell, Deputy Site Facilities Manager – Business

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