Want to quit smoking?

January 15, 2018

Colleagues wanting to kick the habit can now access free smoking cessation services during working hours. This has been agreed to allow employees to get support to quit smoking, to improve their own health and  it is intended for the new hospital site to be a total ‘no smoking organisation’ .

The organisation is giving colleagues the opportunity to access a 12-week smoking cessation programme at the City, Sandwell and Community.

A dedicated one-to-one personal advisor is available for up to 12 weeks to support employees trying to stop smoking. Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products will also be available as part of the support service.

Clinics can be accessed via a telephone, appointment booking system and appointments during working hours must be agreed by line managers.  The initial booking session takes 45 minutes, thereafter appointments take 20-30 minutes.

It is recommended that a weekly support session is attended for the first four to six weeks. Then from seven to 12 weeks, sessions can decrease to once a fortnight for most individuals.

Health and Wellbeing Manager, Jenny Wright said: “The free and confidential service is run by external providers and is available during working hours.

“We have had a number of people on the programme who have successfully quit and we are now hoping that more staff will use the stop smoking services.”

Clinics are held at:

Sandwell & City Hospital Occupational Health Department (by appointment only) with 0800 1583535/ 0121 663 0007 ext. 232

Sandwell Clinic Monday 8.30am – 12.30pm

City Clinic Tuesday, 9.30-1.30pm

Colleagues must contact occupational health for a voucher in order to register for the service. The providers of services will provide appointment cards, with a signature, to evidence the appointment time and date.

To register contact; Jatinder on extension 3306 OPT 4 or e-mail jatinder.sekhon@nhs.net