Health Equity Audit (HEA) - Dudley Stop Smoking Service 2002-2007 service data
Ruth Olding, Tobacco Control Programme Manager, Dudley PCT, UK

Abstract
The aim of the HEA was to provide a detailed profile of clients attending Dudley Stop Smoking Service (DSSS) from 2002-2007 and to establish if service provision and developments are delivering equitable services in proportion to smoking prevalence rates from social class groups across Dudley.
In the period of Apr 2002-Mar 2007 17,275 clients set a quit date using DSSS and 9,001(52%) remained quit at 4 weeks. Postcode mapping and Mosaic tools were used to identify access gaps in relation to need. Key findings highlighted that the proportion accessing DSSS in the 20% most deprived areas of Dudley is 4 times higher than people form the least deprived areas. However, 4 week quite rates are lower in the most deprived areas. There is a need to further improve access to services from the more deprived areas and improve outcomes to be more eqitable in terms of inequalities. Using the results of the HEA 5 additional stop smoking groups were set up from Jan -Mar 2009 in the areas identified with high need and limited access to services. The targetted approach resulted in increased 4 week quit rates and more males than females accessing these services.