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Care Opinion

Hospital Entrance and Grounds

Story from nhs.uk

"Hospital Entrance and Grounds"

About: Northwick Park Hospital

In spite of numerous, clear No-Smoking notices at the Hospital Entrance and around the grounds, a number of people continue to disregard the notices and smoke. There is usually a strong stench of cigarette smoke in the main foyer as well as along the pathways leading to the main entrance. I attend hospital because I am not well and the smell/inhalation of others' cigarette smoke always makes me feel worse. May I suggest that stronger action is required to combat this problem caused by a minority? Patrols by security staff and even on the spot fines (placing money back into the NHS) would be a good starting point.

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Responses

Response from Sue Fenwick Elliott, Head of Patient Experience, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust 4 years ago
Sue Fenwick Elliott
Head of Patient Experience,
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Submitted on 28/11/2019 at 09:52
Published on Care Opinion at 09:52

Dear Sir/Madam

I appreciate you taking the time to write and comment on this issue and acknowledge the nuisance and unpleasant environment this can create for patients and visitors attending the hospital.

The management of smoking on the hospital grounds is a delicate matter and while the Trust endeavours to deliver a message that is resolute in support of the Stop Smoking campaign we have to accept that individuals found to be smoking on our premises are often patients and visitors who are already very ill and/or distressed and for whom the unwise choice to smoke is their personal liberty.

The Trust does actively seek to prevent smoking on its premises by challenging those who smoke, however it is not against the law to smoke outside and at times the Policy is difficult to enforce.

I can confirm that our security staff do patrol the site regularly and endeavour to move people away from the Main Entrance and we are working on ways to make ensure that this is more successful.

Thank you for your feedback and I am sorry that you have had such an unpleasant experience.

King Regards

Anjali Patel

Patient Experience Manager

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