Gillian Gilmore Health Intelligence Manager, Public Health Agency, Belfast
David Tumilty Senior Health & Social Wellbeing Improvement Officer, Public Health Agency, Belfast
Abstract
Evidenced based Stop Smoking Services in Northern Ireland (NI) are commissioned regionally and delivered through specialist providers in a range of settings.
In 2011/12, a quality improvement programme was piloted with the main service provider (Community Pharmacy). Entry into the programme was based on criteria set within the NI Quality Standards for Delivery of Specialist Stop Smoking Services stating that providers who have self-report 4 week quit rates of less than 35% will be subject to review. In total 16% (n=69) of all pharmacies fulfilled this criterion.
Pharmacies were provided with an online tool to self-monitor overall service fidelity against Quality Standards requirements, offered cessation service update training, provided with on-going support letters and opportunities to discuss their service on a one to one basis with a qualified health specialist over the course of a year.
The proportion of pharmacies demonstrating 4 week quit rates of under 35% declined from 16% (2011/12) to 7% (2012/13) using self- report data, or from 47% to 34% using Carbon monoxide validated data. The average CO validated 4 week quit rate of all pharmacy providers increased from 36.3 % (2011/12) to 42.4% (2012/13). In contrast, other provider types did not show this increase.
Source of funding: Internally funded through HSC Public Health Agency Northern Ireland.
