UHNM marks No Smoking Day ahead of move towards smoke-free hospital sites

Patients, staff and visitors at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) have been encouraged to take the first step towards quitting smoking at a No Smoking Day event.

The event, held at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, brought together specialists from Everyone Health and Reed Wellbeing, alongside UHNM’s Tobacco Dependency Team and Lung Cancer Screening Programme.

It also comes just weeks ahead of UHNM becoming an officially smoke-free Trust on 1 April.

From 1 April 2026, UHNM will become completely smoke-free across all sites, including Royal Stoke University Hospital, County Hospital in Stafford and the Stoke-on-Trent Community Diagnostic Centre. This means smoking will not be permitted anywhere on Trust grounds, including car parks and outdoor areas. 

Those in attendance were able to speak with stop smoking specialists, learn about the health benefits of quitting and sign up for free support programmes.

One of those to sign up was Lee Enoch, who spoke to the team after noticing the event while attending a hospital appointment. 

The 42-year-old from Norton said: “I’ve smoked on and off for about 20 years, usually between 10 and 20 cigarettes a day. I’ve tried quitting before and managed it for a while, but I always ended up going back.

“This time feels different because of my health problems. Before I wanted to quit, but now I feel like I need to.

“Attending this event has saved me the hassle of trying to find a service myself. Now I’ll get a call in the next few days to start the process, so I’m hopeful this will be the time I finally quit.”

David Clamp, a smoking cessation coach at Reed Wellbeing, said: “We’ve been promoting the support available to both staff and members of the public.

“People who use a supported stop smoking service are around three times more likely to quit successfully compared to trying to stop on their own.”

Teams from Everyone Health work with UHNM’s inpatients and outpatients, offering support and nicotine replacement therapy during their stay as well as once they’ve return home.

Amanda Harrison, tobacco dependency advisor at Everyone Health, said: “When patients come into hospital their smoking status is recorded, which helps us identify people who may benefit from support.

“We visit patients on the wards to offer advice and nicotine replacement therapy while they’re in hospital, and we also make sure they’re offered continued support when they leave so they can keep working towards quitting.”

Kimberly Perickathara, tobacco dependency lead at UHNM, said: “We want staff, patients and visitors to have the information and support they need to quit smoking, not just for themselves but for their loved ones as well.

“With UHNM starting its journey to become smoke-free, this is about creating a healthier environment for everyone who uses our hospitals and helping people access the support they need to stop smoking for good.”

Donna Bailey, organisational development consultant, said: “Stopping smoking can be challenging, but nobody should feel they have to do it alone. As we move towards becoming a smoke-free Trust, it’s important that colleagues feel supported and know what help is available to them. By working with our partners and strengthening wellbeing support, we’re helping create a healthier environment for everyone.”

Free stop-smoking support is available for inpatients, outpatients, visitors and staff at any of the Trust’s site can be referred for smoking cessation support by texting “QUIT” to 07768 926537 for free support.