Have a cig, nurse, but not in uniform

The relaxation of the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care NHS Trust's strict no smoking policy has been recommended following a review of the scheme.

The Trust's policy, introduced in April 1995, banned staff and visitors from lighting up within all hospital buildings and grounds and only allowed patients to smoke in certain rooms.

Now the review, conducted after the policy had been operating for 12 months, has recommended staff should be allowed to smoke in hospital grounds - but only if their uniforms are not visible!

The proposed relaxation, which would come into force on October 1, also applies to visitors but does not include public entrances and areas heavily used by the public.

A report backing a series of changes to the policy is due to be considered by health bosses on Wednesday.

It says: "It is hoped that this recommendation will act as a relief valve for staff and visitors, making enforcement of compliance within the buildings much easier."

Other recommendations include:

Allowing staff to smoke in certain internal areas at night to prevent staff being put at risk by going outside in the dark.

A clampdown on enforcing the policy.

Offering advice, patches and gum to staff, students and temporary workers as well as counselling on how to quit smoking.

Emphasis placed on senior medical staff complying with the rules.

Staff applying for jobs should be made aware of the policy.

If the recommendations are approved, staff will be told to report signs of illicit smoking to managers and smoke detectors could be fitted in all toilets.

Ward staff will also be told to consider carefully the condition of patients before allowing them to use smoking rooms.

The report adds: "The no smoking policy has gone a long way towards providing the smoke-free environment originally aspired to."

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