Smoking cessation within a forensic mental health service with conditions of special security at The State Hospital Carstairs

Author:
Diane Laughtland

Presenters:
Diane Laughtland
Smoking cessation coordinator, The State Hospital Carstairs, Lanark, UK

Thomas McSeveney
Smoking Cessation Advisor, The State Hospital Carstairs, Lanark, UK

Abstract
Smoking Cessation Within a Forensic Mental Health Service with conditions of Special Security at The State Hospital Carstairs.

Background: The State Hospital is a high secure psychiatric hospital for individuals with mental illness and or learning disabilities, who because of their dangerousness or violent propensities cannot be cared for elsewhere.

Aims and objectives: The smoking cessation service is fully integrated within The State Hospital with the main aims and objectives:

• Provide a specific tailored service to reduce smoking rates
• Deliver smoking cessation interventions in line with Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Scotland (2007)
• Monitor and record patients’ smoking status
• Ongoing training for staff in line with national standards for Scotland

Results

• Smoking rates in March 2004 were 78%.
• Smoking rates in January 2010 decreased to 61%

Conclusion: The reduction in smoking rates within The State Hospital suggests it is possible to deliver smoking cessation interventions within an environment of high security where patients are challenging and lacking motivation.

Declaration of interest: none