It is well established that smoking rates are higher amongst those with mental ill health than in the general population, and higher still in people admitted to mental health units. This session will look at the work being done across the North East of England to tackle the high rates of smoking within our mental health trusts.
Fresh is a dedicated regional office for tobacco control, funded by all 12 North East local Authorities. Since mid-2014 Fresh has been working with a range of partners to support our trusts in their aspiration to become fully smokefree across their grounds. This has involved:
- Mapping current practice against NICE Guidance PH48 “Smoking Cessation in Secondary Care”
- Hosting dedicated events to feedback these findings and learn from trusts that have experienced similar challenges
- Raising awareness with staff about the key role they play in supporting smokers to quit
- Working collaboratively with Local Authorities, CCGs, MH Trusts to develop pathways for smokers admitted to mental health units, to help them quit or abstain from tobacco use
This project is ongoing. This session will explore the work undertaken so far, and the collaboration between different partners to raise the profile of tobacco-use within the mental health setting.
