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Bolton Smoking Cessation Service in the Nursing Standard
The Bolton Smoking Cessation Service, promoted by TrusTECH through its Service Innovation Scheme, was cited as “a good example of a secondary-care based scheme” in the Nursing Standard (3–9 October issue)1. The article, which considers National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendations with regard to smoking cessation and their application in local services, further demonstrates the value of the Bolton Service.
As a consequence of the 1 July smoking ban, government predicts that 600,000 smokers will stop smoking2 and the Nursing Standard anticipates a significant increase in the workload of healthcare professionals specialising in smoking cessation. These facts demonstrate a considerable need for effective, yet efficient, smoking cessation services in the NHS.
The Nursing Standard explains that the Bolton Smoking Cessation Service is for “patients who express a desire to give up smoking in the pre-operative period1”. It offers a collaborative and standardised approach to smoking cessation based on an in-patient assessment in the acute hospital setting. This assessment is followed by an individually tailored dual intervention (motivational support and pharmacotherapy), which is continued after discharge by the PCT.
From September 2003–2005, an estimated 250 extra people stopped smoking as a result of the service, which demonstrates a 66 per cent 4-week quit rate3 (vs. the average 4-week quit rate of 55%4).
For further information about the service, contact Emma Malpeli, TrusTECH Service Innovation Manager (T: 0161 276 5970).
1. Thomas S (2007) Smoking cessation part 1: brief interventions. Nursing Standard. 22, 4, 47–49.
2. Cancer Research UK (2007) Smoking in Films Influences Viewers. Cancer Research UK Website
(accessed 3 September 2007).
3. Thomas S (2006) A high quality smoking cessation service in primary care. The Airways Journal 4, 2.
4. Trout (2006) Stub it out: optimising smoking cessation. The British Journal of Primary Care Nursing. 3, 6, 262–267.