Smoking is stubbed out from tomorrow at Altnagevlin Hospital in Derry as the Western Health and Social Care Trust marks “No Smoking Day” by becoming the first “smokefree” Trust in the North.
The new ban means smoking is not permitted anywhere in grounds or premises run by the Trust including buildings, entrances, pavements and car parks.
Smoking areas will no longer be provided for patients and staff anywhere within the grounds of the hospital, with workers no longer permitted to smoke in their cars on site.
The smokefree initiative has already been introduced in hospitals and healthcare facilities in parts of Britain, the Republic of Ireland, United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Spain.
Dr Albert McNeill, co-chairperson of the Western Trust’s Smokefree Board and lead clinician for cardiology, said as a health service employer the Trust recognised the hazards to health that smoking causesd, both for smokers and for those breathing in other people’s smoke.
He added: “The health of our patients and staff is a top priority for the Trust and we wish to provide the best environment for those who come to work in our facilities.”
He concluded: “We realise that becoming a smoke free Trust will take time to achieve – however maintaining a smoke free environment in and around our hospitals is everyone’s business and we are committed to ensuring it becomes the norm to benefit everyone’s health.”
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