Plymouth children help deliver stop smoking messages
Local children are helping us to reinforce the very important message that smoking is not permitted on the Derriford Hospital site.
In March 2012, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust made a commitment to become completely smokefree. This decision saw the removal of the smoking shelters and the pledge that smoking would no longer be permitted inside any of the Trust’s premises or anywhere within the grounds.
The majority of people who come to Derriford have supported us with our decision, however, over time and in particular, during the recent works outside of the main entrance, the number of people smoking outside of the entrances has steadily increased.
To address the issue, a number of measures have been put in place, including the display of posters, designed by children of Trust staff, which are going on display and the installation of a new tannoy system, which conveys a series of messages from children asking people to stop smoking.
The announcements were recorded by local children and are played when a button, located in the entrances’ foyers, is pressed.
“Since we became smokefree in 2012, we have explored lots of ways to get people to move away from smoking outside the entrances to the hospital,” explains Nick Thomas, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Site Services and Planning for Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust. “The majority of people in hospital or visiting the site have supported us with this and do not choose to smoke in these areas. However, there is a small minority who, for whatever reason, still do.
“Not only is this unfair to those who do not smoke and have no choice but to enter the hospital walking through it, it is also wholly inappropriate for it to be happening outside of an organisation offering healthcare.”
“Therefore, we wanted to do something that reiterated our message for those who might be choosing to ignore our smokefree signs”, adds Jo Woolley, Assistant Operations Manager and Local Security Management Specialist for Plymouth Hospitals. “The idea of the tannoy came from another local Trust and is already proving to be very effective.
“It enables anyone who might not feel comfortable about approaching someone who is smoking, to ask them to move away, to simply press the button and the relayed message will do it for them.
Jack Reading “We are also delighted with the response we received to our poster competition. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of the children who submitted entries and special congratulations to our winner and runners-up.”
The winning poster was designed by 10-year-old, Jack Reading with Chloe McGowan, aged 11 and Olivia Masters, aged 8 being named as runners up. Jack’s poster is now on display outside of the maternity entrance and will shortly be put up outside of the main entrance of Derriford.
Other measures to deter smoking from the entrances include a new porch area and new railings outside of Plym Day Case, where children’s theatres are housed, to prevent anyone from standing in the doorway or sitting on the wall outside.
Olivia Masters Contractors Indigo have also appointed a dedicated member of staff, who is based outside of the main entrance, whose job is to manage the area, including moving on anyone smoking and there are two new ‘Control of Smoking Policies’; one for staff and one for patients and visitors.
“Providing a smokefree environment sends a strong message from the Trust about the established dangers of smoking and second hand smoke,” concludes Nick. “Recognising, however, that all of the measures we have introduced need the support of our patients, visitors and staff to make them a success. Chloe McGowan
“Support is offered to patients and staff wishing to give up smoking, including free nicotine replacement, counselling and ongoing support. Those who wish to continue to smoke, we ask that they respect our policy and to not smoke anywhere on site.
“Achieving a smokefree site is only something which can be achieved if we all work together to make it happen.”
