< BACK

Update on improving access to stop smoking services for people with mental health problems
Sue O'Brien, Stop Smoking Specialist, NHS Surrey Stop Smoking Service

Abstract
I would like to submit a poster presentation to update the posters we submitted to the UK National Smoking Cessation Conferences in June 2005 and 2006.

Since 2004, West Surrey Stop Smoking Service (WSSSS) and the Health Promotion Service (HPS) have worked in partnership to develop a programme to improve access to stop smoking support for people with mental health problems. Posters presented to the Conference in 2005 and 2006 set out details and progress of the pilot we were running.

A study designed to evaluate the impact of this programme and to assess effectiveness of 1:1 support specifically for mental health service users was published in March 2007. The aims of the study were achieved using three methods. A questionnaire was developed for mental health service users to give an indication of their smoking behaviours. The Level 2 stop smoking training developed for mental health professionals was evaluated and finally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with those who had received 1:1 support.

The findings from the questionnaires, the training and the semi-structured interviews complimented each other very well, with similar ideas and themes emerging from different sources.

I would welcome the opportunity to present the Key Recommendations of the evaluation to this year's Conference:

Key Recommendations:

1. Stop smoking support should be targeted at people with mental health problems, and this client group should be prioritised by stop smoking services.

2. The implementation of 1:1, flexible stop smoking support for people with mental health problems should continue and be expanded across Surrey.

3. Develop an introductory awareness course for all mental health professionals, covering key facts about smoking and giving up smoking, NRT, the impact of smoking on mental health and medication, brief intervention skills and details of stop smoking services.

4. Offer the Level 2 stop smoking training to those with a particular interest, motivation and capacity to develop skills and deliver quit support.

5. The delivery of the stop smoking service should be flexible to meet the needs of the clients, including offering 1: and small groups if this is appropriate. Mainstream groups should also be accessible and promoted to mental health service users across Surrey.

6. There is a need for WSSS to work with primary care and mental health professionals, through training and awareness, to ensure that people with mental health problems are routinely offered brief interventions on stopping smoking.

TOP

Biography
Sue O'Brien is a Stop Smoking Specialist and Mental Health Lead with the NHS Surrey Stop Smoking Service. Sue is a qualified addiction counsellor and prior to joining the NHS Stop Smoking Service in 2004 specialised in drug and alcohol addiction.

Sue O'Brien
NHS Surrey Stop Smoking Service
60 Stoughton Road
Guildford Surrey
GU1 1LJ

TOP | BACK | INTRODUCTION