“I thought I was going to die”: UHNM support helps staff member quit smoking after hospital stay

A 37 year old member of domestic staff at University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) has quit smoking after a frightening hospital admission left her struggling to breathe. 

Annette Williams, from Newcastle under Lyme, had been smoking since the age of 14 but today said being admitted to hospital was the wake up call she needed to stop smoking.

She said: “It scared me being ill. I honestly thought I was going to die. At 37, you should be able to breathe and I couldn’t.”

UHNM became a smoke free trust on 1 April 2026, ensuring patients are routinely offered advice and support to quit smoking during their hospital stay from the Trust’s Tobacco Dependency Team.

Although Annette describes herself as a light smoker, smoking around 10 cigarettes a day, she said quitting had always felt out of reach despite previous attempts. 

During her stay, Annette was approached on the ward by Gioarnie Cereno, tobacco dependency practitioner, who made the first contact on behalf of the UHNM Tobacco Dependency Team. 

Gioarnie said: “Annette has made excellent progress over four weeks, reducing her nicotine replacement and continuing with an inhalator as needed. Her journey shows the impact of making every contact count and supports UHNM’s commitment to being a smoke free trust, improving wellbeing for patients, staff and visitors.” 

After being discharged, Annette chose to continue with the service, receiving one to one support and nicotine replacement therapy. 

Annette said: “Knowing someone has your back makes a massive difference."

Annette now attends regular appointments with her stop smoking advisor and uses a nicotine inhalator to help manage cravings. She has already noticed improvements in her breathing and fitness, particularly when walking uphill. 

She said: “I used to have to stop walking up the hill into the hospital, now I don’t and that says everything.” 

Reflecting on her journey, Annette added that she is was proud of how far she has had come and is encouraging others to seek support.

She said: “I don’t ever want to feel how I felt when I was admitted, life is good now.” 

As a smoke-free trust, UHNM remains committed to strengthening prevention and creating cleaner, safer and healthier hospitals for everyone. Free stop-smoking support is available for inpatients, outpatients, visitors and staff at both Royal Stoke and County Hospital, Stafford and can be referred by texting “QUIT” to 07768 926537.