Over 1,500 people across the whole of Lanarkshire, have successfully quit smoking with the support of NHS Lanarkshire’s Tobacco Control Team, since 1 April 2020.
Additionally, the Local Delivery Plan (LDP) target set by the Scottish Government each year to achieve a defined number of 12-week quits from clients residing in the 40% most deprived areas in Lanarkshire, has also been achieved!
The LDP target was set at 902 successful quits within these areas, between 1 April 2020 & 31 March 2021, which the Tobacco Control Team surpassed, as they achieved over 940.
Due to the Covid pandemic, the team adapted to provide telephone support to clients referred to the Quit Your Way service, combined with home delivery of Nicotine Replacement Products, this had a positive impact on the number of successful quits achieved.
Residents could also receive free stop smoking support from their local pharmacy.
Shirley Mitchell, tobacco control programme manager, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Exceeding our LDP target is a brilliant achievement given the circumstances and it wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of the full team.
“Quitting smoking during lockdown would not have been easy to do, and I’m especially proud of the success these Lanarkshire residents have achieved by quitting during the pandemic.”
Jackie MacDonald, Tobacco Control Team Leader – Cessation, NHS Lanarkshire added: “Although we saw a drop in the number of people engaging with our Quit Your Way service compared to 2019/2020, there was a higher success rate for those who managed to successfully quit.
“Staff reported that clients were more open in their discussions regarding their quit attempt and other concerns they were having e.g. Covid fears, financial worries etc. Nurse Advisers were able to provide reassurance and advice plus signpost clients to other relevant services.
“The introduction of the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training practitioners who provided clients with weekly behavioural support was particularly valuable when some of our nurse advisers and nurse specialists were redeployed, as this ensured that clients still received telephone support which was influential in achieving the LDP target.”
Referring patients to Quit Your Way
Refer your patients to NHS Lanarkshire’s Quit Your Way service for free, stop smoking support.
The 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.
The local Lanarkshire helpline is also available Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm on 01698 754 888, where you can get assistance with 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
