Brain Bleed Survivor Quits Smoking as UHNM Prepares to Go Fully Smoke-Free in 2026

A Stoke-on-Trent man who suffered a life-threatening brain bleed has quit smoking during his hospital stay thanks to support from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust’s Tobacco Dependency team.

Ryan Harvey was admitted to Royal Stoke University Hospital after collapsing while walking his dog at his local area of Alcock place. He suddenly lost sight and was rushed to hospital by his brother where he received urgent specialist care.

Ryan suffered a serious bleed on the brain disrupting normal blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain. 
The 34-year-old digital product owner, a smoker for 17 years. was advised that smoking may have played a part in his condition and could affect his recovery.

Ryan said: “When I was brought into hospital, it was first suspected that smoking might have been one of the causes of the brain bleed. I was advised to quit to give myself the best chance of recovery.”

During his stay, Ryan was supported by UHNM’s Tobacco Dependency Service and provided with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help manage cravings.

He said: “The cravings were the hardest part, especially after eating. I always had a cigarette after a meal; it had become part of my routine.

“Going on walks around the hospital grounds with my mum really helped take my mind off it. The NRT from the team also made a big difference. Having that support there and knowing I wasn’t doing it alone helped more than anything.”

Since quitting, Ryan has noticed positive changes in both his health and daily life.

He said: “I feel a lot more relief. My attention span is better, and I can focus more on important things and get things done.

“It’s also made a big difference with my family. I can spend time with them without the smell of smoke lingering. I didn’t realise how much it affected everyday life until I stopped.”

UHNM is committed to providing specialist tobacco dependency support for both patients and staff as part of its plan to become completely smoke-free across all hospital sites from 1 April 2026. This means smoking will not be permitted anywhere at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, County Hospital in Stafford and Stoke-On-Trent Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), including car parks and outdoor areas. 

Kimberly Perickathara, UHNM tobacco dependency lead, said: “A new Tobacco Dependency Outpatient Clinic is now supporting both patients and staff at UHNM to quit smoking. The clinic provides easy access to specialist, evidence-based support for people who want to stop smoking and patients can be referred directly by their clinician. This service plays a key role in improving health outcomes, supporting our smoke-free ambitions, and reducing smoking-related harm across our local population.” 

Ryan now hopes his experience will encourage others to consider quitting. He said: “There are actually so many more health benefits once you put your mind to it. I never thought I’d quit, but now that I have, I can see the difference, even in simple, everyday things you don’t usually think about.”