Award for anti-smoking efforts

NHS Warrington has been given the smokefree seal of approval for its efforts to protect staff from passive smoking.
The primary care trust, including its community healthcare provider arm Warrington Community Services Unit, has had official endorsement under the Cheshire Charter – an accreditation scheme which aims to protect staff working in the community from exposure to the harmful effects of second hand tobacco smoke.
The Cheshire Charter recognises that for community staff, such as district nurses and health visitors, visits to patients in their own homes could place them at risk from second-hand smoke. In these circumstances, a patient’s home becomes, temporarily, a workplace for staff.
To meet the scheme’s criteria, NHS Warrington and Community Services Unit staff request that patients provide a room which has been smoke free for a set period, as far as is practicable, prior to a planned visit by community staff. Other criteria met by the organisation include having a smokefree workplace policy that advises patients and staff on ways to minimise their risk of exposure to second-hand smoke, and also advises on smokefree issues and stop smoking services.
Human resources director Michelle Chadwick said: “Our achievement confirms our commitment to protecting the health of our staff and builds on the success of smokefree legislation, increasing awareness of the health benefits of smokefree in all environments, including patients’ homes.”