Tackling health inequalities: Taking the service to the smoker – Roy Castle Fag Ends

Author and presenter:
James O’Neill
Stop Smoking Advisor, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, Liverpool, UK

Abstract
Roy Castle Fagends was established in Knowsley PCT in 2006. A strategic plan to reduce smoking prevalence throughout Knowsley Borough was implemented.

Adults living in the most deprived areas are significantly more likely to smoke than adults living in more affluent areas.

• Knowsley is ranked as the 8th most deprived local authority
  in England.
• Knowsley is the second highest ranked for concentrated
  local deprivation in England.

In 2006 smoking prevalence in Knowsley was 32.6% which was significantly above the national average. Smoking prevalence within the wards ranged from 12.6% to 46.5%.

• Mortality from lung cancer was measured 86.8% higher than the Northwest’s overall prevalence of 60.1%.
• Certain wards within Knowsley had a lung cancer mortality rate of up to 197% above the national average.
• COPD prevalence in Knowsley was 2.9% compared to the UK’s overall 1.5% average.

Roy Castle Fagends has been working in partnership with Knowsley PCT year on year and has demonstrated a significant improvement as smoking prevalence currently stands at 23.7%.

The presentation will share good practice and will outline the positive outcomes of taking the service to the smoker.

Source of funding: Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation Knowsley PCT

Declaration of interest: none