A smokefree Trust for patients/visitors

Although the number of people smoking in the general population has fallen drastically, this hasn’t happened for people with a serious mental illness where over 40% still smoke. This results in premature death (10-20 year reduced life expectancy), disability and poverty.

The myth that smoking is somehow therapeutic for people with mental illness is a belief that still exists even in some health professionals. Evidence now confirms that as well as the physical health benefits, becoming smokefree also reduces stress, anxiety and depression.

Smokers also require higher doses of medications such as Clozapine so quitting can lead to reduced doses and the unpleasant side-effects that come with them.

Since the Trust went smokefree in April 2017, the greatest impact has been on our inpatient mental health services where a smoking culture was deeply embedded.

We would like to hear your thoughts about us becoming smokefree, whether you are a member of staff or a patient.

Has the policy influenced smoking habits? Which products are working best? And what changes might help to make things better?

The Gather tablets located on inpatient wards now have a staff and a patient survey loaded onto them.

We would like to encourage as many of you as possible to share your thoughts and experiences with us through these surveys over the next few weeks.

As ever, thank you for your continued support.

It is strongly recommended that smokers stop before surgery. This will lead to:

• Reduced risk of complications
• Quicker healing
• Less chance of infection
• Possible reduction in the length of stay in hospital

To protect our staff from the potential harm caused by second-hand smoke, we ask that you provide a smokefree environment for their visit. As a minimum, please ensure the room is smokefree for an hour prior to the visit and refrain from smoking while they are in attendance.

We are extremely strict with our policy on smoking. Anyone found to be smoking on our premises, will be politely asked to put out their cigarette, or to move off the premises.

We ask that this action is respected, and that anyone asked to stop smoking refrains from becoming abusive to staff or other patients. Anyone who becomes aggressive will be reported to the police. Please remember, our aim is to improve health and wellbeing, we are happy to provide alternatives and support.

There is no excuse to smoke anywhere on Dorset HealthCare premises.

The latest evidence demonstrates that vaping/e-cigarettes are at least 95% less harmful than smoking tobacco.

The devices and e-liquids should always be obtained through a reputable source to ensure they are as safe as possible and avoid use of unnecessary contents like diacetyl which can be harmful. They will also be as safe as charging a mobile phone as long as it is done with the provided charger, charged in line with manufacturers recommendations and not tampered with.

National guidance is telling us that vaping should not be treated in the same way as smoking so these products can be used on trust premises by both patients and staff although this should be outside following incidences of them setting off smoke alarms.

Public Health England’s advice remains that vaping carries a small fraction of the risk of smoking. Using a nicotine-containing e-cigarette makes it much more likely someone will quit successfully than relying on willpower alone – three studies this year have found them twice as effective as NRT alone. But it’s important to use UK-regulated e-liquids and never risk vaping home-made or illicit e-liquids or adding substances.

• From 2014-2016, smoking caused over 4,100 deaths. For each of these, approximately 20 people are suffering a smoking related disease such a COPD (lung disease), cancer, heart disease or stroke.
• In 2016/17, over 13,500 hospital admissions were a result of smoking.
• At current smoking rates, over 3,500 years of life will be lost to smoking across the county

• 20 minutes: Your blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal
• 8 hours: Oxygen levels in your blood return to normal and carbon monoxide levels reduce by half
• 24 hours: Carbon monoxide is eliminated from your body. Your lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris
• 48 hours: Your ability to taste and smell improves
• 72 hours: Breathing becomes easier. Your bronchial tubes begin to relax and your energy levels increase
• 2-12 weeks: Circulation improves throughout your body, making walking and running much easier
• 5 years: Your heart attack risks fall to about half that of a smoker
• 10 years: Your risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker
• 15 years: Your risk of heart disease is nearly the same as someone who has never smoked

If you are a smoker admitted to any of our inpatient services, you will be offered Nicotine Replacement Therapy within 30 minutes of arrival. It is vital that you use these products correctly and in sufficient amounts for them to be effective. We have staff who are trained to help you with this.

You may just wish to use these products to abstain from smoking for the time you are admitted. Alternatively, we would really like you to take the opportunity to quit for good. Our trained staff will be able to help you create a plan to change your habits and reduce the triggers that lead you to smoke. They will be able to offer you positive support throughout your quit attempt.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy products that we can provide:

• Patches – provide a level of nicotine throughout the day reducing cravings
• Lozenges – are a good alternative for people who do not like gum
• Inhalator – are like a small plastic cigarette that holds disposable nicotine cartridges. It provides some behavioural replacement for the hand to mouth action of smoking
• Gum – delivers nicotine to the bloodstream and is absorbed by the tissues of the mouth

In addition to these we can also explore the possibility of using Varenicline (Champix), which is proven to be the most effective product in supporting smokers to quit.
 

Support in the community

LiveWell Dorset is a free service that offers friendly, supportive guidance and advice.

You can visit their website or Freephone 0800 8401628

Switching to e-cigarettes / vaping

If you feel unable or do not wish to quit smoking, we would very much like to encourage you to consider switching to vaping / e-cigarettes. Public Health England state that this option is at least 95% less harmful than smoking tobacco. There are many options and you might not find the first one you try very effective or enjoyable. It is important to try various types and various e-liquid. There are some very informative videos that you might find helpful on YouTube.