HEALTH chiefs have been labelled draconian for "threatening" to discharge patients who smoke in hospital car parks.

Smokers have been warned they face being sent home if they flout a ban on smoking in the grounds of East Lancashire's hospitals.

And they will be told going off the grounds for a cigarette is "not in their interests."

A smoking rights group today said patients were being punished for their habit.

From December 1 no-one will be allowed to smoke inside hospitals or their grounds, even if they are sitting in their car.

Staff face disciplinary action if they repeatedly break the code, visitors will be asked to leave and now it has emerged that patients could be discharged if they stand inside the grounds to have a cigarette.

Trust chiefs insist that assessments will be carried out because anyone who is well enough to stand outside and have a cigarette could be well enough to go home.

The policy adopted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and sent out to ward managers says: "Patients who do not comply with this policy will be clinically assessed. This may result in the offer and provision of Nicotine Replacement Therapy by the hospital or the patient being discharged."

Simon Clark, director of smoking rights group Forest, called the move "draconian".

He said: "Hospitals are meant to be caring places. This isn't looking after people, it is petty and vindictive.

"Hospitals are obviously very stressful places, not just for patients but also for staff and visitors. If I was a member of staff I would hate to make that decision to discharge and I think it puts them under an unfair burden."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said the policy was "completely over the top".

He said: "For somebody to be threatened with being turfed out of hospital for smoking in the grounds is clearly absurd."

John Amos, vice-chairman of the Patient and Public Involvement Forum, which acts as a watchdog for the Trust, said: "That is a threat isn't it? Whether it is a real threat or an empty one I don't know."

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph can also reveal bosses removed a clause that would have seen patients asked to sign a consent form to leave hospital grounds for a smoke.

Under the adopted policy high risk patients, such as those who need oxygen support, will not be allowed to leave and those who go against medical advice and leave could have their treatment "halted, deferred or discontinued."

Patients or relatives who receive distressing news could be exempt from the ban under the policy.