Hillview Lodge is going smoke free

In time for National Non Smoking Day it is timely to report that from 6 May, no one will be able to smoke on the Hillview Lodge premises.

This includes all service users, staff and visitors and applies to all indoor and outdoor areas.

This change follows recommendations from the Royal College of Physicians and Psychiatrists (2013) and NICE guidelines (November 2013). The number of smokers remains particularly high amongst people with mental health problems. The numbers have changed little in the past 20 years in contrast to the marked decline of smokers in the general population.

This decision has been taken as part of our duty of care to protect and promote the health of people who use or work in Hillview Lodge. However, support to abstain from smoking while people are on the premises or to stop smoking altogether will be provided.

All smokers admitted to Sycamore Ward will be assessed and offered Nicotine Replacement within 30 minutes of admission to help deal with nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. They will also be able to purchase an E cigarette from the ward if they choose to use one. If they wish to continue stopping smoking or reduce their tobacco use, they will be offered intensive behaviour support alongside the pharmacotherapy to help them continue in their quest to quit.

If you have a mental health problem and smoke, you may feel that there is nothing you can do about it. This is not true, many people with mental health problems stop smoking, feel better and live longer. Also, if you stop smoking 10 cigarettes a day, you will save more than £1,000 per year!