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Stop Smoking Help

Posted By westerton

"Stop Smoking Help"

About: NHS Grampian

(as the patient),

For years my Drs have asked me to stop smoking, saying help is available, where? not with Grampian NHS my health board.

Various groups, say they help, but do not, no support, five years of asking for "the help" various reasons, from Covid, medication not suitable, not in our area, not aware of that, ......

Eventually another health board Tayside NHS did supply patches, but with no support finding it very hard, Grampian healthpoint wished me every success.

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Responses

Response from Kirsten Dickson, Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team, NHS Grampian 3 years ago
Kirsten Dickson
Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 20/12/2021 at 13:13
Published on Care Opinion at 13:13

picture of Kirsten Dickson

Dear westerton,

I’m sorry it hasn’t been as easy as it should have been for you to get support with stopping smoking - but it’s great to hear you kept looking for help.

I contacted the NHS Grampian Smoking Cessation Service who think you may have been in touch with them since this post was shared and they hope you have now managed to find the support you need. With Covid restrictions in place they have had to adapt the ways in which support is offered, face-to-face sessions have been paused, but help is still available. Their email gram.healthpoint@nhs.scot is manned by an advisor who can offer direct support and their helpline number, freephone 08085 20 20 30 (mobiles may be charged), is manned Mon- Fri 9am-5pm.

As well as this, most local pharmacies offer support in the form of front line advice and cessation products such as patches – though as they are independent from the NHS the level of assistance may be different in each pharmacy.

I understand not all these contact options will be suitable but hope you manage to find a support method that works for you.

Take care,

Kirsten

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

Update posted by westerton (the patient)

Thank you for your reply.

I have been in contact with NHS Grampian, for help as has my advocate for years, before the Covid pandemic, in fact over 5 years asking for help, there is no help. It seems that a lot is spent telling people there is help available to stop smoking, but I have been able to get no help.

My advocate spent months trying answering questions, but either no reply, or no help.

Eventually got help in another healthboard, they started me on patches, then stopped half way through. There is it seems NO support, no one to talk to, help, advise, its a complete joke when people are told that help is available, but there is none. Before the pandemic, during the pandemic and what ever we are in now, I have had no help, no time, no support.

I was last contacted over a year ago. Still waiting.

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