Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded a green rating from Public Health England for its commitment to going smoke free across the Great Western Hospital site.
A score of seven out of seven follows the enforcement of a smokefree policy in April and shows the Trust has taken positive steps towards becoming a smokefree site.
These include offering stop smoking advice to patients, referrals being made to local services and a no smoking policy across all hospital buildings and grounds.
Stephanie Taylor, Cardiac Rehabilitation Co-ordinator and Chair of the Smokefree Working Group, said: “We are thrilled to receive such an outstanding grade for our work to become a smoke free site and want to thank everybody who has taken steps to quit smoking or support others to do so.
“It is good to know that our efforts have been successful and we will work hard to maintain this. We understand just how hard giving up smoking can be and do all we can to support patients, visitors and staff with their journey to quit.
“Some people still choose to smoke on site and we will be approaching smokers with smoking cessation cards to raise awareness of stop smoking support.
“We hope that new signage and an annunciator will also help to remind visitors that they are on a smoke free site. There is lots of support available to stop smoking so please ask for information next time you visit the hospital.”
The Trust joins two thirds of Trusts across the country who have been graded green.
The high score shows the organisation it is in a good place to continue developing smoke free policies and practices further.
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