Ban On Smoking On Hospital Grounds

[sp1814]

Do you agree with these proposals?

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/nhs-told-to-ban-smoking-near-hospitals-8966155.html

I think it kinda makes sense really...especially if health trusts can offer free support (patches, gum, inhalers etc).

What do you think?

[sp1814]

pixie373

That would be unfair to Boris Johnson - so, no.

[pixie373]

Lol. Bless him.

[ChillDoubt]

No pixie, but we should ban an activity that has absolutely NO health benefits for anyone whatsoever directly on the property of an establishment that does its utmost to offset the damages done by it!
It is utterly ridiculous to allow smoking anywhere on or near hospital grounds.
Make it harder for people to do so and it may just give them the nudge to have a go at packing it in.

I also don't see why free patches, gum and inhalers should be given out. Make a nominal fee for them, say one third of the cost of a pack of 20?

[China Doll]

I think all that will happen is patients will walk further to have their ciggie and probably for some of them that will be dangerous.

As an NHS employee (but not clinical) and a smoker, I agree that staff seeing patients shouldn't stink of smoke. It's unprofessional and actually it's disgusting; especially if said patient has any form of nausea particularly.

I can see the logic behind the idea but I don't think it will work in practice.

[sherrardk]

Are there any fat people who work where you do? Any people who do sports? Any who drink more alcohol in a week than the recommended level? This preaching about smoking all the time gets on my bloody nerves. Staff aside, visitors and patients are just that, they are not inmates of some sort. What about the NHS seeing the bigger picture of how being in/visiting the hospital affects people?

[pusskin]

Agree with you China.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I'm glad I don't meet too many people like you Chill. The world would be an unhappier place.
I was once one of those attached to a bleeping drip while having a fag outside with all the other baldies, and it was a communal "well this is fun (sarcasm)" get together.
Give them somewhere to go away from the entrance...unless you want to close the WRVS and shop as well, and take those vending machines out because pop, caffeine, chocolate and crisps and biscuits are all bad for you.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Oh, Sherr...haven't forgotten you just half dead from work in the run up to Christmas. Sorry :)

[giveup]

A nurse interviewed on the radio this morning said that if they tried to stop nurses smoking in their breaks,it would contravene their human rights.

[pixie373]

So you think smokers might give up if you make it harder?

[sherrardk]

(no probs Mojo.)

[woofgang]

sherrardk I agree about patients and visitors and smoking. I particularly agree about the stress of having to be in hospital or having a loved one in hospital. Been there, done that, my husband died two years ago. The "but" to this is that smoking visitors and patients smell too....also and more importantly, as i said, what do you do about the smokers who are not safe to smoke without supervision; or need oxygen and cannot smoke safely at all?

[woofgang]

giveup, that nurse was talking bodkins, you state your intention and reasons, do the consultation consider the result, remembering that you have to consult with non smokers too, who are the majority, write it into the t and c of employment and anyone who doesn't sign the new T and c is adjudged to have resigned.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Sometimes Woof the condition overrides the need for a fag, however, the walking wounded should not be further deprived just because they're unlucky enough to be admitted to hospital, which let's face it, isn't done without the dire need to do so these days.

[sherrardk]

Presumably someone who needs supervision or is on oxygen won't be going far from their beds for anything. The QE is ginormous and I saw few patients outside smoking so I can't imagine it is as big a problem as people seem to think. Also, wouldn't a chilled out, nicotined-to-the-max patient be more relaxed and maybe even recover quicker?

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I'm sorry Woof, you want to ban the smell?
There are lots of smells that I don't like on people but seriously?

[woofgang]

Mojo, but what hospitals can't say is that you are allowed to smoke if you can get yourself to the shelter and if you can't tough.....

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Well if you can't make it to the shelter you can't make it to the shelter. There were times when I couldn't. We're adults you know. We kind of have to suck it up because we're already feeling too ill to go outside.

[sherrardk]

Surely it would be safer to find a way for 'wobbly' patients to be assisted in their pursuit of a ciggie rather than them come up with their own escape plan?

[woofgang]

Mojo its not a smell, its a stink. If you are feeling queasy and on the point of vomiting, that smell can be the thing that tips you over the edge. I agree its not the only thing that can do this, but in my personal and professional experience, its one of the worst. I certainly think that staff should not go on duty smelling of cigarettes.