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First class care but no-smoking policy needs...

Story from nhs.uk

"First class care but no-smoking policy needs..."

About: Royal Derby Hospital / Breast surgery

I have had 12months of breast cancer treatment - mastectomy, chemo & radiotherapy.

I have nothing but praise for the NHS and the wonderful staff at RDH.

However, I have a huge gripe about the no-smoking policy in the hospital grounds.

There is signage at every entrance stating that this is a no-smoking zone yet there will always be some ignorant and disrespectful people who think it's their right to have a quick ciggie without getting their slippers wet!!

This means that they will stand right next to the automatic doors, sometimes in front of the signs!!

Well, it's my right to be able to walk into the hospital for my appointments and not to have to inhale cigarette smoke.

Even walking towards the main entrance of the Hospital is a disgrace with cigarette butts where the Staff and visitors seem to congregate by the zebra crossing.

Not a very good first impression of an otherwise first-class facility.

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Responses

Response from Royal Derby Hospital 4 years ago
Royal Derby Hospital

Submitted on 02/05/2019 at 15:54
Published on nhs.uk at 17:06

Good afternoon

Re: Smoke Free

I am writing with regards to your complaint that was received on the NHS Choices Website and I am sorry that you have had cause to complain, the manager feels the information in this letter may be of interest to you of the actions we are taking regarding smokers on the Hospital site;

The Trust is committed to creating a healthier place for patients, visitors and staff, which includes the Trusts “Think Again Campaign” which focuses on:

? Ensuring patients and visitors are aware before they arrive that our hospitals and grounds are a smoke free zone;

? Supporting patients whilst they are in hospital. Making every contact count by offering inpatients access to nicotine replacement therapies and support information/services;

? Reminding patients and visitors that the hospitals grounds are a smoke free zone

At present there is no legal enforcement that we can issue to members of the public smoking on the Trust grounds, therefore we rely on support from patients and visitors to keep the hospital and grounds smoke free.

On average the Trust has over 5000 in-patients per month, with an estimated 18% of these patients being smokers.

This presents a constant challenge in relation to discouraging smoking on the hospital grounds.

To help meet this challenge the Trust has established a “smoke free group” who are responsible for the following actions;

? Installing a recorded message at all main entrances and exits which states that we are a smoke free site and requests that smokers refrain from smoking in these areas.

This scheduled to be in place by April 2019.

? Increasing the security and car parking attendant patrols to request that patients and visitors stop smoking

? Removing the litter bins which have ash tray’s

? Increasing awareness on hospitals campaigns such as “Stop Before your Op”, “National Stop Smoking Events” and specific campaigns in Maternity services

In addition to this, the Trust has recently doubled the number of prescriptions for nicotine replacement therapies, which allows patients to refrain from smoking whilst they are admitted.

On behalf of the Trust I would like to apologise that you have been exposed to second hand smoking and reassure you that we continue to review and monitor the levels of smokers on site.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any further questions or concerns.

Yours sincerely

Tracy Selsby-Orlandi

Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing

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