Regional hospital campus is set to go smoke-free
Waterford Regional Hospital is set to become a smoke-free zone from February 22, Ash Wednesday, as it plans to implement a smoke-free policy on the campus of the hospital. The policy will also be implemented in St. Patrick’s Hospital, also located in Waterford. And the HSE has confirmed that all its properties will become smoke-free by 2015.
Coinciding with National No Smoking Day, the policy - which is in keeping with Waterford Regional Hospital’s designation as a regional cancer centre and its status as a health promoting hospital - will mean that smoking will not be permitted anywhere on hospital grounds, this will include entrances, doorways, walkways, internal roads, bus shelters, car parks and bicycle shelters.
The policy will apply to all staff, patients, visitors, contractors and any other person who enters the hospital buildings or grounds. The purpose is to ensure a healthier, safer and cleaner environment for all and better health outcomes for patients and staff. The HSE said that people are being politely asked to comply with the policy as WRH and St. Patrick’s Hospital are trying to achieve a norm whereby people will not smoke on campus.
Dr. Mark Rogan, consultant respiratory physician at WRH and chairperson of the South Eastern Cancer Centre Smoke Free Campus Project says: “Introducing the Smoke Free Campus policy in WRH and at St. Patrick’s Hospital provides an environment that promotes health and supports those who want to stop smoking. The facts are indisputable when it comes to the health gains. Giving up smoking greatly improves the chances of patients’ recovery, which is the aim of being in hospital. Research shows that non smokers or those who quit smoking before and after surgery have much better wound healing and recover faster.”
Similar initiatives have been introduced with positive results in other large hospital campuses, such as St. Vincent’s, the Mater and Connolly Hospitals in Dublin and at Cork University Hospital.
“Smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the world and it is important that hospitals provide an environment committed to wellness and the prevention of illness. This is something which WRH is fully supportive of,” said Patricia Sullivan, general manager of WRH.
Rob Landers, consultant histopathologist and clinical director of Waterford Regional Hospital says: “As a major provider of healthcare in the South East, a designated Cancer Centre, major trauma centre and a centre for cardiac and renal services, we are taking our responsibility around health promotion and illness prevention very seriously at WRH. Hospitals and health systems, both nationally and internationally, are working to encourage patients to adopt healthier tobacco-free lifestyles in order to decrease the incidence of smoking related disease. Providing a smoke free environment sends a clear message that WRH and St. Patrick’s Hospital are committed to protecting and promoting the health of our patients, staff and all who visit here.”
Patients are being advised of the new policy, and can be referred to WRH’s free Smoking Cessation Service and offered Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) during their hospital stay. The HSE provides a smoking cessation service to staff and Waterford Regional Hospital, and St. Patrick’s Hospital, has trained staff to provide a cessation service to inpatients. GPs have also been informed of the policy. Ongoing awareness sessions have been held for staff, as well as training on the use of nicotine replacement therapy.
“We’re asking people not to smoke on our campus. Stopping smoking, at any age, is the single most important thing a person can do to improve their health and we are very pleased to be able to provide such an environment in WRH and St. Patrick’s Hospital that is supportive of anyone who wishes to do that,” said Dr. Rogan.
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Weather for Clonmel
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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