Smoking is not permitted on the Addenbrooke's site. This includes the hospital buildings, the grounds, the bus station and car parks.
For more information, please see the questions and answers below. These questions and answers are for both staff and public.
1. Why is the site smoke-free?
The public health white paper ‘Choosing Health’ makes a clear commitment to a smoke-free NHS by the end of 2006. The Trust wants to take a lead in health promotion ensuring the wellbeing of its staff and patients. Addenbrooke’s site becoming smoke-free is part of a wider move towards a smoke-free Cambridge.
The Board of Governors and Board of Directors made the decision that the hospital buildings would go smoke-free by the end of 2006 in line with government policy. Staff, patients and public were consulted on whether the new policy should be smoke-free within hospital buildings, smoke-free within all buildings across the site, or whether the whole site should go smoke-free. The response was 52% in favour of smoke-free site wide.
The new policy covers all Trust premises – buildings, grounds, bus station and car parks. And other site users (MRC, GlaxosmithKline, National Blood Authority, etc) have signed up to the policy. Residencies are exempt from the policy as they are people’s homes. The Frank Lee Centre is not included in the policy, although the trustees of the centre are considering the Trust’s decision.
5. What support will be made available for smokers and those wanting to give up?
Smoking cessation support is available for patients - information can be found in the Patient Advice and Liaison Service by main reception. Local GPs can also provide advice and support.
Occupational Health will be available to provide support for staff wishing to give up smoking along with the smoking cessation nurse and Oasis – the Cambridge smoking cessation service, whose services are also available to the public.
6. I'm a smoker, and I'm concerned about not being able to smoke during my visit.
If you are a smoker and concerned about your visit to Addenbrooke’s, please have a word with your GP or contact OASIS (stop smoking clinic) for support and advice on giving up smoking – 01223 723 022.
The policy is not about stopping people from smoking, it’s about where people smoke. You are not being asked to stop smoking, just to refrain from smoking while on the Addenbrooke’s site.
9. What happened to the smoking room on level 1 and the smoking area outside the main entrance?
The smoking room on level 1 was closed on 7 March and all signs directing people to the smoking area outside the main entrance have been removed and replaced with signs indicating that there is no smoking on site. As yet there are no concrete plans for what the areas will be used for in future.
10. If the Trust has decided to stop smoking on site, what about alcohol and burgers?
In the future it is likely that government recommendations will require the Trust to consider both the sale of alcohol and possibly a site wide prohibition of alcohol, much as with smoking. When this occurs this would be done by first seeking views of staff and other site users in a similar way to the smoke-free consultation.
As far as the sale of burgers is concerned we are under contract with Medirest, the company who run the Food Court, for a few more years. When we negotiate a new contract in the future we will consider offering a different range of qualitymeals. We currently provide the option of a balanced diet, with labels, nutritional information and guidance for people to make their own choices.
All contractors have been asked to ensure their staff working on site are aware of the smoke-free policy and are asked to refrain form smoking on site.
18. What if I find someone smoking on the site – what should I do?
You may gently challenge anyone smoking on site, but remember to be respectful. Some people have asked for guidance on this. For instance, you may wish to approach the person, saying:
“The Trust has gone smoke free, which means that smoking is not allowed on the site. Please extinguish your cigarette or leave the site”.
It is important that you do not put yourself or anyone else at risk.
