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Care Opinion

Staff smoking

Posted By PaisleyPal

"Staff smoking"

About: Royal Alexandra Hospital (Paisley)

(as a relative),

As I was leaving RAH to drop off personal items and medication to my husband who is a patient there, I saw 6+ hospital employees hanging out   on a side stairwell. They were having a smoking break without their masks on, of course,   and we are not socially distanced (less than a metre apart. ) Visitors are required to wear masks and are not permitted in the wards during this current lockdown. I feel the hospital should enforce the strict rules with their employees as to not spread the virus especially in such a vulnerable environment. It seems quite irresponsible that this would be happening on hospital grounds.

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Responses

Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 3 years ago
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 06/10/2020 at 10:27
Published on Care Opinion at 10:27

picture of Nicole McInally

Dear PaisleyPal

Please accept our sincere apologies that you were witness to a number of Royal Alexandra Hospital staff smoking on a side stairwell whilst not socially distanced nor wearing a face covering.

With regards the concern you raise re smoking, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have a Smoke Free Policy which advocates no smoking anywhere on the hospital campus, therefore, it is our policy not to permit smoking within the grounds of any of our hospitals; unfortunately, as you witnessed, there are a number of challenges in enforcing this within our grounds as at this time it is not illegal to smoke outside. NHS Managers and Site Management do check around the site and will challenge smoking activity and staff who are found to be smoking are dealt with in line with the Policy and Procedure.

It is very disappointing and concerning that you witnessed staff who were neither socially distanced nor wearing a face covering, please accept my sincere apologies for these behaviours which are not the normal practice as the majority of our staff are very cautious and do adhere to the safe practices that are in place for all. Please be assured that this issue will be raised with Managers covering all disciplines in order that staff are reminded of their obligations and responsibilities which are in place to protect all.

Once again please accept our apologies and be assured that these important issues will be highlighted to all Managers in order that there is no repeat of the behaviours that you witnessed.

Kind Regards

Facilities Team

Royal Alexandra Hospital

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by PaisleyPal (a relative)

Thank you for your response. I am grateful it will be looked into for the safety of all. My sincere thanks!

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