Smoking cessation in prisons: Assessing what works and why
|
Author(s)
Rachel Northen and Karen Haw
|
| Presenter(s) |
Karen Haw Head, Leeds NHS Stop Smoking Service and Healthy Lifestyle Service |
Abstract NICE states that over three-quarters of prisoners smoke and prison offers an ideal opportunity to tackle health inequalities in an otherwise hard to reach group. Demand for stop smoking support in HMP Leeds is high, partially as it’s offered to new prisoners on admission. Initially we tried running group support sessions but found that:
• We had long waiting lists of 60 – 80 people
• More assertive/ aggressive prisoners dominated quieter ones.
• Drop out rates were high and quit rates were low (probably due to the length of sessions)
We felt a ‘drop in’ approach may tackle this so now new sessions begin every 3 weeks (reducing waiting times and numbers on the waiting list).
The first session is run as a group with information given about the physical and psychological aspects of smoking, treatments explained and planning and preparation covered.
To test motivation, treatments are not given until week 2. At this stage sessions also become 1:1s allowing a more tailored approach to the individual.
We’re fortunate to have a pro-active prison office to help facilitate the sessions and access to treatments (all available except gum and inhalator).
Our 86% quit rate reflects the success of this approach.
|
Presenter biography Karen Haw is the Head of Leeds NHS Stop Smoking Service and Healthy Lifestyle Service
Karen has lived and worked in Leeds most of her life, she qualified as a General nurse in 1985. After a short period working within a hospital setting, she pursued a career in community nursing, where she gained experience of working within the field of smoking cessation. In 2000 she moved full time into the field of smoking cessation first as an advisor then managing the service in 2007.
More recently although still passionate about smoking cessation herself and a group of others developed a more integrated approach to health improvement. The healthy lifestyle service enables clients to work on multiply lifestyle changes including smoking cessation, weight management and alcohol reduction.
|
Source of funding: Commissioned by NHS Leeds
|
Declaration of interest: None
|
| |
