Quit Your Way is NHS Lanarkshire’s free and friendly stop smoking support service, however, residents may not know, they can also ignite their quit journey with its trained staff at local community pharmacies.
Pharmacies are readily available to support people who smoke to quit, so much so, pharmacy worker Lisa O’Neill, from Motherwell, was recently recognised at the pharmacy magazine ‘Training Matters’ Awards, where Lisa won the Service Excellence Award due to her amazing efforts in supporting local residents who are ready to quit smoking to stop for good.
Impressing the judges with her dedication to clients, Lisa said: “I find helping people to quit smoking incredibly rewarding.
“I have lost loved ones prematurely to smoking related illness and this motivates me. I love getting to know those who are quitting, supporting them, motivating them, believing in them, so they believe in themselves and seeing the difference it makes to their lives.
“The best thing about the award is that it recognises the amazing efforts of every single one of our patients who have worked with us to quit and change their lives, they are the real winners. We make them feel valued, respected, worth it, special and appreciated. We also really celebrate people’s success with them.
“The fantastic thing about quitting smoking for people is that it has so many benefits. It is not only a significant way to improve health but also help people by putting more money in their pockets and also enhancing their wellbeing, how they look and feel and also self-esteem with a great sense of achievement. It also has secondary benefits for others such as reducing the effects of second-hand smoke.”
Heather Donaldson, pharmacy champion, NHS Lanarkshire, commented: “Lisa has done, and continues to do, an amazing job with her patients to quit smoking, it’s really fantastic to see someone who loves their job and supporting others as much as Lisa does.
“We understand people who smoke might feel nervous to ask for support, especially if they have tried to quit once or twice before, however local community pharmacies can offer friendly information and advice, as well as ongoing support and free nicotine replacement therapy, which can increase people’s chances of quitting.
“Anyone thinking of quitting smoking is welcome to visit their local community pharmacy and we’ll support them to lead a healthier, wealthier future.”
Victoria Toner, Lisa’s pharmacist store manager, added: “I nominated Lisa for the Service Excellence Award due to her unfaltering passion and dedication in spearheading our stop smoking service in our pharmacy.
“During Lisa’s working days she can be found phoning patients and checking in on how they are getting on, giving hints and tips to help them quit and generally providing overall moral support. She has a true passion for driving this service as she genuinely wants to help improve each patients’ quality of life by stopping smoking.
“We are very lucky to have her in our team looking after our patients, and I would encourage anyone thinking of quitting smoking to visit their pharmacy for more information and support.”
To find out about the pharmacy stop smoking services, find your nearest community pharmacy, visit www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/quit-your-way or call the Quit Your way helpline service on 0800 84 84 84.
