THE South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust’s Stop Smoking Team have been working hard to ensure that smokers who are inpatients, outpatients or staff get the best advice and support possible to help them quit.
A recent British Thoracic Society report showed evidence that even a short hospital stay can be a time when people think about their health, and may for the first time seriously consider stopping smoking. Many Trust staff have now been trained in how to talk to patients about their smoking and provide appropriate advice re medications, and refer to the Stop Smoking Team. 
This collaborative working has resulted in recent Public Health Agency figures which show a 34% increase in enrolment to the service, 49% increase in successful quits at 4 weeks and an overall quit rate of 86%!
These figures reflect the commitment of staff who refer to the service and Claire Black and Shirley McClelland are delighted with the support they have received.
For further information about smoking cessation, please contact Claire Black – Tel: (028) 9250 1383 or email:Â
claire.black@setrust.hscni.net (for Down/Lisburn areas) or Shirley McClelland – Tel: (028) 9151 1134 or email:Â
shirley2.mcclelland@setrust.hscni.net (for North Down & Ards area).]]>
