We’re going smokefree on Friday 5 July
July 2, 2019
As we celebrate our 71st birthday, we mark an important milestone in our Trust’s history, as we do the right thing and ban smoking across our Trust. This decision was made almost one year ago on Thursday 5 July 2018, by our Trust Board, who were focussed then, as they are now on the health of our workforce and the community we serve.
To find out how this may affect you, read the Smokefree Policy
As part of our preparations for going smoke free we wanted to share some common questions and debunk some myths about the ban. Click here to read our smoking FAQ.
We have been delivering our smokefree message to our diverse community in Punjabi, and now Polish. We want to ensure we reach as many people within our area as possible, so they are aware of our smoking ban, the risks around smoking and our drive to promote healthier lives.
We have produced the video below in Polish, working with Trust Bank and translator Bozena Tula.
Sign up to smoking ban warden support rota:
To support the smooth implementation of going smokefree, colleagues are being invited to sign up to the smoking ban warden support rota. The rota runs between 5 -12 July, with one hour slots through the day from 7am to 8pm, across City, Sandwell, Rowley and Leasowes sites. Colleagues are asked to pick a slot where they will walk round their chosen site to support smoking wardens in advising anyone smoking or about to smoke that we are a no smoking site. T-shirts and badges are available for colleagues on the rota. To sign up please contact Director of Communications ruth.wilkin@nhs.net.
Dates of the Smokefree Warden Support Rota briefings:
- Tuesday 2 July: Meeting Room 5, Education Centre (1pm – 2pm) Conference call at 5pm: Dial in details – Tel: 08448090930, Participants code – 43449607#
- Wednesday 3 July: Anne Gibson Board Room (12pm – 1pm) Conference call at 5pm: Dial in details – Tel: 08448090930, Participants code – 43449607#
Smoking Ban Warden Support Rota
Staffside Convenor and Unison branch secretary Chris Rickards has signed up for the rota, she explained why: “We are supporting the smoking ban as it will help people make healthier choices and improve wellbeing. The Trust has done a lot of work to assist people who want to give up smoking, and we hope that everyone supports this ban, and does their bit to show their support. Fresh air is wonderful to breathe in, and secondhand smoke is not, so we have to work together to make this important change across our Trust.”
Guidance on challenging smokers:
Guidance has been produced to support anyone who is on the smoking ban rota. During your walkabout you will encourage people to stop smoking on our sites and give advice and support about the alternatives available. The public are generally very approachable, pleasant and compliant and this should be a great opportunity for you to get out and about and speak directly to your patients, visitors, contractors and even your colleagues. However you must take steps to ensure your safety and this guidance will help to keep safe.
Be sure to check out this short clip featuring a colleague being challenged by another colleague at the Trust.
Why going smokefree matters:
Tracey Moore, Holistic and Beauty Therapist said: “My work focusses on helping colleagues achieve wellbeing, so I fully support the ban as it means we will not be breathing in secondhand smoke as we walk around the hospital sites.”