Smokefree

We must protect and care for the mental and physical health of our patients, staff and visitors.

Many people who use our services are more at risk from second-hand smoke. This includes pregnant women, children and people with health problems. Breathing in second-hand smoke can cause disease and early death in non-smokers. Even a short time around smoke can cause harm.

Smoking has serious effects on people and their families. It is one of the biggest causes of poor health and early death in South Tyneside and Sunderland. This puts a lot of pressure on our local NHS. 1 in 3 hospital beds is used by someone who smokes, and they often need to stay longer. Smoking costs the NHS in South Tyneside and Sunderland around £22.7 million.

Being a smokefree organisation is about more than smokefree sites. It is about improving the health of our patients. We do this by identifying people who smoke, helping them understand the risks and giving them support to quit.

Helping people to stop smoking is an important part of the job for all Trust staff.

We want to provide a healthy place for everyone who visits our Trust and we need your help to do this.

This means:

• You must not smoke on any South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust site.
• If you are admitted to hospital, we will offer you Nicotine Replacement Therapy to help manage cravings during your stay. We will also offer a referral for extra support.
• If you choose to smoke, you must do this offsite and at your own risk.
• If you are found smoking on Trust grounds, staff will politely ask you to put out your cigarette or move offsite.
• You can use e‑cigarettes or vapes in our outdoor areas, but not inside our buildings. Do not use them at entrances or near windows.

You can use e‑cigarettes or vapes in our outdoor areas. Do not use them at entrances or near windows.

You must not use vapes or e-cigarettes inside our buildings.

We know that smoking is very addictive and many people find it hard to stop, even when they want to. As part of our smokefree plan, we want to give patients and staff the help they need if they choose to try to quit.

We will:

• Offer Nicotine Replacement Therapy to all smokers when they are admitted.
• Give patients advice on how we can help them quit and tell them about the specialist support available in our Trust.
• Encourage smokers to use the help and advice offered by our stop smoking services.