NHS Lanarkshire’s Tobacco Control Team has created three new videos, to highlight the specialist support offered to pregnant women and their partners and families who want to quit smoking.
Protecting a mother and baby’s health from tobacco smoke is one of the best ways to give newborns a healthy start in life. The team’s dedicated advisers work with pregnant women to provide specialist support, encouragement and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) which are safe during pregnancy, as well as one-to-one video or phone appointments.
Kirsty Sweeney from Blantyre, who quit smoking through the service when she found out she was pregnant, said: “Falling pregnant made me decide to give up smoking, I had tried lots of times previously but my baby provided me with the motivation I needed.
“I received telephone support and my NRT products were delivered to my house. My Quit Your Way nurse was the main positive aspect, she was fabulous and I knew she was there for me anytime at the other end of the telephone. I could chat to her about anything.
“I also noticed a massive difference in my finances which was really positive.
“It’s been over a year since I had my baby boy, Jack, and I feel confident I will not return to smoking. I am an older Mum so I want to be able to keep up with Jack and I am now really concerned about the health aspects as both me and Jack get older.”
Tracy Henderson, health improvement senior – tobacco control and pregnancy, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Whether pregnant women have just found out they’re expecting or are further along their pregnancy journey, our specialist advisers will support and empower them to quit smoking.
“We understand it can be hard to tell their midwife they smoke; these are natural worries but we make sure all our clients feel safe, secure and at ease. It’s never too late to try and stop smoking, no matter how far along in the pregnancy.
“Second-hand smoke can also affect mother and baby before and after birth, support and information is available for partners and family members of the Mum-to-be too.
“Quitting smoking is achievable, and the health benefits to baby and mother can be noticed as soon as the first 24-hours of quitting.”
Referring patients to Quit Your Way
Refer your patients to NHS Lanarkshire’s Quit Your Way service for free, stop smoking support.
The Quit Your Way Service in Lanarkshire has set up a local helpline number which is available Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm on 01698 754 888, for all staff, patients and partners to access, we will assist with any queries in regards to stopping smoking, including:
- Taking referrals
- Provide behavioural support to clients who are motivated to stop smoking (as required)
- Advise on pharmacotherapy products available to support quitting
The national phone number is 0800 84 84 84 and will be available Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm.
Staff can also use our ‘Click to be Contacted’ service too.
