NRT treatment for patients who smoke

Patients who smoke asked if they would like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) during their stay.

Those who want to quit completely will be referred to a smoking cessation specialist nurse within the hospital – and will be supported even after they leave the hospital.

The move also ties in with NHS Lanarkshire’s bid to stop people smoking - and using e-cigarettes - on hospital grounds, including entrances and doorways.

Hospital chiefs say a successful pilot test found that more than three quarters of patients said they felt NRT and support from a stop smoking nurse helped ease their tobacco cravings while in hospital.

Stop smoking service manager Nancy Docherty said: “We were delighted by the findings from the pilot as they showed that the majority of smokers who required a hospital stay, appreciated the opportunity being offered to them”

Stop smoking nurse Jacqueline Macdonald said: “Stopping smoking can help patients recover quicker as their treatment can work better and it reduces the risk of complications.

“The pilot has also shown that many of those who quit while in hospital have continued when they leave.”