Case Studies
Smoking Cessation Service
Introduction
The detrimental health effects of smoking are well documented and with the national smoking ban in England (from 1 July 2007) smoking cessation has never been a more topical issue.
The Problem
To support the smoking ban in England, NHS services are obliged to provide the public (including in patients) with the encouragement and support to stop smoking.
Gary Bickerstaffe (Health Improvement Specialist, Bolton PCT) identified the need to develop a collaborative and standardised approach to implement smoking cessation in the Acute hospital setting.
It was recognised that this would improve the success of patients trying to stop smoking, which in turn would reduce post-operative complications, the number of cancelled operations and the length of hospital stay.
The Solution
The Bolton Smoking Cessation Service was developed by Gary in collaboration with Ginny Kirk (Smoking Cessation Specialist, 2003–2005, Bolton PCT) and the Royal Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust.
The service relies on in-patient assessment by the Acute Trust, followed by dual intervention (motivational support and pharmacotherapy) which is continued by the PCT after discharge.
The service is delivered by the Acute Trust in two phases. Level 1 ensures that the patients who smoke are easily identified by hospital staff and that interventions are documented appropriately. It involves the placement of a ‘smoking cessation sticker’ on their records. Level 2 is an intermediate assessment protocol that ensures that patients receive appropriate intervention (e.g. nicotine replacement therapy). After discharge, patients are referred to the PCT smoking cessation service for follow-up.
The Process
Gary Bickerstaffe approached TrusTECH for assistance with promoting the service to NHS Trusts. TrusTECH distributed information about the service via the Service Innovation Bulletin, Service Innovation Showcase (December 2006) and website.
TrusTECH also encouraged the adoption on a national level, by awarding Bolton PCT a bursary to enable Gary Bickerstaffe to present a poster and abstract summarising the service at the UK National Smoking Cessation Conference 2006.
At least eight Trusts are currently considering the implementation of the service within their organisation.
How can I find out more?
For further information please contact Emma Malpeli, TrusTECH Service Innovation Manager (T: 0161 276 5970).
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