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Cost effective ways of improving referrals from acute trusts and foundation hospitals
Maggie Thornton, Smoking Cessation Lead (South Wiltshire), Wiltshire PCT, Barcroft Medical Centre
Abstract
COST EFECTIVE WAYS OF IMPROVING REFERRALS FROM ACUTE TRUSTS AND FOUNDATION HOSPITALS
A short presentation to explain how in South Wiltshire close partnership working has resulted in an increase in the number of referrals to the local NHS Stop Smoking Service.
Explanation of the best ways to engage hospital medical and nursing staff.
A computer referral system was put in place and regular attendance by members of the service to departmental meetings to update new junior doctors and nursing staff.
The enthusiasm of the doctors resulted in a full lecture theatre at the annual conference with 8 consultants from each of the specialties: vascular surgery, respiratory, general surgery, plastics, ENT, cardiac, obstetrics, and diabetes, each speaking for the time it takes to smoke a cigarette. We also managed to attract an outstanding guest speaker in Alex Bobak.
In Salisbury, once the trust and efficiency of the service had been established, the referrals started coming through in increasing numbers from a variety of hospital departments. The regular updates to staff via all communication means – hospital radio, web info, hospital news letters and regular brief intervention and level 2 training continues to ensure referrals to the service.
Targeting hospital doctors and nursing staff who smoke often results in them becoming great supporters of the service.
A close working relationships between NHS Stop Smoking Services and acute trusts can result in a substantial increase in the number of referrals to the service and is extremely cost effective.
Biography
Maggie Thornton trained as a nurse at the London Hospital followed by military nursing experience in the Army where she trained as a midwife. After leaving the Army on getting married she trained as a health visitor at Southampton University.
She has 8 years experience of working in the smoking cessation field and has led the Stop Smoking Service in what was the South Wiltshire PCT for the last 4 years.
Maggie Thornton
The Barcroft Medical Centre
The Centre
Amesbury
SP4 7dl
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