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Smoking ban by hospital trust
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| The ban will be in place at the Royal Sussex Hospital from April 2 |
The largest hospital trust in Sussex is to ban smoking in all its buildings and grounds next month.
All patients, staff, visitors, contractors and students on Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust sites will be included in the ban.
The trust's new policy also extends to vehicles owned or leased from the trust when being used on hospital business.
The blanket ban will come into force from April 2 but there will be a three month settling in period to give all those affected time to get used to the changes.
The move brings the trust into line with other hospitals in the county, including Worthing and Southlands and East Sussex Hospitals NHS trusts.
The changes have been developed in line with new Government legislation that will lead to a ban on smoking in all public places from July 1.
Further to that, South East Coast Strategic Health Authority has issued guidance urging trusts to bring in a complete ban throughout NHS premises.
Between April and July, staff caught flouting the ban will be referred to smoking cessation services for support and advice but if they continue to smoke while on duty after the three month start-up period they face disciplinary action.
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| The ban will affect patients, staff and visitors throughout Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust |
Designated smoking areas around the trust's hospital grounds, which include the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, will be removed.
Staff will be given extra training to learn how to deal with patients and visitors who continue to smoke.
Signs will be put up around the hospitals warning patients about the changes and GPs will also be informed.
All patients coming in for routine appointments and surgery will also be told beforehand.
The new policy was ratified by the trust board at a meeting on Tuesday.
Trust director of nursing Alison Robertson said: "This will have some effect on patients and staff and we have to be careful how we implement it as it will take a while for people to get used to the new policy."
However campaign groups have criticised the decision.
The director of the pro-smoking group Forest, Simon Clarke, said: "We feel very strongly about this.
"A hospital environment can be extremely stressful not just for patients and visitors but for staff as well who have to see some terrible things.
"We already have the sight of people in drips and wheelchairs having to stand outside to have cigarettes but now they are being told they cannot even do that any more."
Are you for or against the smoking ban? Have your say, add your comments below.
2:02pm Tuesday 6th March 2007
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CommentPosted by: bertie, 109-556 on 8:13pm Tue 6 Mar 07
agree totally,[bold]filthy disgusting habit,[/bold] hospitals should exude health and fitness, do not give dirty smokers an inch of space at hospitals or anywhere else.
agree totally,
filthy disgusting habit, hospitals should exude health and fitness, do not give dirty smokers an inch of space at hospitals or anywhere else.
Posted by: ed on 8:27pm Tue 6 Mar 07
If a tobacco addict can't smoke at a hospital, he'll be sicker not better. And the sicker he is, the richer they get. Brilliant!
If a tobacco addict can't smoke at a hospital, he'll be sicker not better. And the sicker he is, the richer they get. Brilliant!
Posted by: Bob, Brighton on 9:49pm Tue 6 Mar 07
There's nothing sadder than seeing someone puffing on a cigarette outside various premises about town. The sooner it's stopped, and cigarette smoking is seen by all as the stupid, and frankly pathetic habit it is, the better.
There's nothing sadder than seeing someone puffing on a cigarette outside various premises about town. The sooner it's stopped, and cigarette smoking is seen by all as the stupid, and frankly pathetic habit it is, the better.
Posted by: sue, Hove on 6:58am Wed 7 Mar 07
It is about time - it is horrible having to go into the main entrance with people either side. Even worse, when I was attending oncologu people would sit on the seat right outside the door and smkoe. Non smokers needed to sit out side and wait withoput smokers evreywhere. It has happened in USA for years,
It is about time - it is horrible having to go into the main entrance with people either side. Even worse, when I was attending oncologu people would sit on the seat right outside the door and smkoe. Non smokers needed to sit out side and wait withoput smokers evreywhere. It has happened in USA for years,
Posted by: Su on 10:48am Wed 7 Mar 07
It'll bring a much fresher enviroment to the hospital. Can't see it being very practical or workable when they try to bring it in at the Mental Health Services I thought patients were going to continue to be excempt from the law as being an inpatient is stressful enough with out having to try and be forced to give up smoking as well.
It'll bring a much fresher enviroment to the hospital. Can't see it being very practical or workable when they try to bring it in at the Mental Health Services I thought patients were going to continue to be excempt from the law as being an inpatient is stressful enough with out having to try and be forced to give up smoking as well.
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 10:59am Wed 7 Mar 07
Such hatred towards your fellow man, lets hope that you never get an illness where the only donor is a smoker. I do not smoke but I recognise that smoking is an addiction however unlike alcoholics and drug addicts who are given 'scripts' for their addiction smokers are the new 'leper'. I have recently had to attend hospital on a number of occasions of late and the most disturbing thing I have noticed is the number of Doctors, nurses and ancillary staff who are clinically obese, and yet we know from the DoH that obesity related ill health costs the NHS 5 billion a year, and is tax neutral, whereas smokers pay 10 billion over and above normal taxation and their related bill is 1.7billion. Lets hope non of the 4 previous posters are obese, because believe me you are already on the rada of the fanatics.
Such hatred towards your fellow man, lets hope that you never get an illness where the only donor is a smoker. I do not smoke but I recognise that smoking is an addiction however unlike alcoholics and drug addicts who are given 'scripts' for their addiction smokers are the new 'leper'. I have recently had to attend hospital on a number of occasions of late and the most disturbing thing I have noticed is the number of Doctors, nurses and ancillary staff who are clinically obese, and yet we know from the DoH that obesity related ill health costs the NHS 5 billion a year, and is tax neutral, whereas smokers pay 10 billion over and above normal taxation and their related bill is 1.7billion. Lets hope non of the 4 previous posters are obese, because believe me you are already on the rada of the fanatics.
Posted by: Evie, Cambridgeshire on 3:51pm Wed 7 Mar 07
From a health perspective the smoking ban will be to an advantage, does the Government expect a ban on smoking in public place to be an effective way of encouraging people to quit?
The various ad campaigns on TV work along shock tactic lines, however I feel nothing is more effective than taking a walk through a hospital ward where the patients are dying from lung cancer. Believe me its a real eyeopener.
From a health perspective the smoking ban will be to an advantage, does the Government expect a ban on smoking in public place to be an effective way of encouraging people to quit?
The various ad campaigns on TV work along shock tactic lines, however I feel nothing is more effective than taking a walk through a hospital ward where the patients are dying from lung cancer. Believe me its a real eyeopener.
Posted by: Iain on 8:25pm Thu 8 Mar 07
How can they enforce this ban which goes beyond the legislation?
If you are not a member of staff there is nothing they can do to prevent anyone smoking in the grounds. Though they pretend they can, just to scare smokers.
What a terrible way to treat people who smoke. Has the removal of all tolerance towards smokers been included in the legislation as well?
How can they enforce this ban which goes beyond the legislation?
If you are not a member of staff there is nothing they can do to prevent anyone smoking in the grounds. Though they pretend they can, just to scare smokers.
What a terrible way to treat people who smoke. Has the removal of all tolerance towards smokers been included in the legislation as well?
Posted by: John, London, SE on 8:57pm Mon 12 Mar 07
The case for air free from second-hand smoke seems to have been accepted on pretty slim evidence of health risk.
Could I make a plea for bacteria free air, especially in a hospital?
Surely it's not too much to ask for people with TB or other contagious diseases to be banned from enclosed public spaces or made to wear a mask? Or am I just being unkind?
The case for air free from second-hand smoke seems to have been accepted on pretty slim evidence of health risk.
Could I make a plea for bacteria free air, especially in a hospital?
Surely it's not too much to ask for people with TB or other contagious diseases to be banned from enclosed public spaces or made to wear a mask? Or am I just being unkind?
Posted by: Megan, Brighton on 8:50am Mon 19 Mar 07
John, just to let you know, if a patient has TB they are kept in a side room and the door remains closed at all times. On the occasion that they need to leave said room they are made to wear a mask. So in response to your point, it is already being done. There is no easy way to make the air totally bacteria free, however there is as easy way to make the air totally smoke free.
John, just to let you know, if a patient has TB they are kept in a side room and the door remains closed at all times. On the occasion that they need to leave said room they are made to wear a mask. So in response to your point, it is already being done. There is no easy way to make the air totally bacteria free, however there is as easy way to make the air totally smoke free.
Posted by: Poppy, Brighton on 8:49pm Mon 2 Apr 07
I came to live in Brighton specifically because it was a haven of free thinking liberty on this increasingly brainwashed and Americanised island of ours. To see the comments supporting these unwarranted and fascistic bans simply breaks my heart. Smokers pay almost ten times what they allegedly cost the NHS, and readers should note that this victory by anti-smoking pressure groups comes at the cost of our democracy. I did not vote in order to be governed by the preferences of a small pressure group who freely admitted in The Guardian that they played a 'confidence trick' on the government, but that is what has happened. They have repeatedly bombarded the public and Parliament with one point of view, until both have come to the erroneous conclusion that only one point of view exists. Please do more research to formulate a balanced decision. The FORCES site is a good place to start, since all the studies and numbers are there for all to see. In a free society, all efforts should be made to allow people a choice. Allowing governments to impose bans on spurious grounds is to open the gateway to totalitarianism. There are none so blind as those who don't see.
I came to live in Brighton specifically because it was a haven of free thinking liberty on this increasingly brainwashed and Americanised island of ours. To see the comments supporting these unwarranted and fascistic bans simply breaks my heart. Smokers pay almost ten times what they allegedly cost the NHS, and readers should note that this victory by anti-smoking pressure groups comes at the cost of our democracy. I did not vote in order to be governed by the preferences of a small pressure group who freely admitted in The Guardian that they played a 'confidence trick' on the government, but that is what has happened. They have repeatedly bombarded the public and Parliament with one point of view, until both have come to the erroneous conclusion that only one point of view exists. Please do more research to formulate a balanced decision. The FORCES site is a good place to start, since all the studies and numbers are there for all to see. In a free society, all efforts should be made to allow people a choice. Allowing governments to impose bans on spurious grounds is to open the gateway to totalitarianism. There are none so blind as those who don't see.
Posted by: grant curry, cuck on 8:54pm Sun 3 Jun 07
I just think the smoking ban is health fascism. Live and let live.
I just think the smoking ban is health fascism. Live and let live.
Posted by: Rhonda on 6:34am Wed 5 Dec 07
After Reading the Article about Banning Smoking at Hospital’s, I sit back and wonder why my husband is over there fighting for. It can’t be so we can raise our children the way we were raised to see that things will not be handed to us on a silver platter, But that they must work for things. Cause if you get on your children today to teach them and correct them ( it is called abuse now a days ) just look at the children running the streets now all time of the night and stealing from us while parents cant do a thing about it or the ones getting pregent at 13 ( watch TV, and the news) . Then it was we can’t smoke in Restaurant’s and Bar’s, AND now it's we can’t even smoke OUTSIDE of all things....
If it is the second hand smoke everyone keeps talking about, don’t go outside at all, due to the factories smoke that pollute the air and the second hand smoke coming from your own car (theses are all second hand smoke too) and if you don’t want to smell the smoke as other state, then don’t go to a Bar to Drink. Because we know that you don’t want to smell the alcohol on other people’s breathe either. So where will this leave us?? That’s right. They will soon Bann drinking , working for a living ( factories, and even having a car ) What a great world we have turn this into … Thanks the great people who BUTT there nose’s in other people business and made this world the great country it is today ! (CRAP!) We can only imagine what this world will be when our kids have kids.
After Reading the Article about Banning Smoking at Hospital’s, I sit back and wonder why my husband is over there fighting for. It can’t be so we can raise our children the way we were raised to see that things will not be handed to us on a silver platter, But that they must work for things. Cause if you get on your children today to teach them and correct them ( it is called abuse now a days ) just look at the children running the streets now all time of the night and stealing from us while parents cant do a thing about it or the ones getting pregent at 13 ( watch TV, and the news) . Then it was we can’t smoke in Restaurant’s and Bar’s, AND now it's we can’t even smoke OUTSIDE of all things....
If it is the second hand smoke everyone keeps talking about, don’t go outside at all, due to the factories smoke that pollute the air and the second hand smoke coming from your own car (theses are all second hand smoke too) and if you don’t want to smell the smoke as other state, then don’t go to a Bar to Drink. Because we know that you don’t want to smell the alcohol on other people’s breathe either. So where will this leave us?? That’s right. They will soon Bann drinking , working for a living ( factories, and even having a car ) What a great world we have turn this into … Thanks the great people who BUTT there nose’s in other people business and made this world the great country it is today ! (CRAP!) We can only imagine what this world will be when our kids have kids.
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