Smoking shelters dismantled and smoking banned in grounds of Sunderland Royal and South Tyneside hospitals

To mark the start of ‘Stoptober’ next month, the trust is removing all designated smoking areas in the grounds of its two main hospitals while a new speaker system at main entrances will remind people smoking is not allowed.

It means:

· Smoking is banned on any Trust site;

· Inpatients will be offered Nicotine Replacement Therapy to help them manage any cravings during their hospital stay and a referral for ongoing support;

· The Trust supports the use of e-cigarettes in the grounds but not inside buildings. For the comfort of others it asks that you do not use these at the entrances of buildings.

Ryan Swiers, Public Health Consultant at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: “By removing the smoking shelters we are sending a clear message that we are taking every possible step to discourage smoking and keep everyone on our sites safe from second hand smoke.

“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been more important time to look after our respiratory health.”

William Walton, 50, is a patient at Sunderland Royal Hospital. The Dad-of-two from Whitburn, said: “I have a blood cancer called Myeloma, so I regularly visit the Phoenix Unit for chemotherapy. I’ve got to come via the Kayll Road entrance next to the smoking shelters and it’s not nice for people to have to walk through smoke when they’re coming into hospital.”

Jarrow MP Kate Osborne said: “By creating a smokefree environment, the Trust is protecting those people from exposure to second hand smoke and immediate harm."

For further advice and support to stop smoking click here or contact:

· Patients from South Tyneside can refer themselves to the Change4Life Stop Smoking Service by calling 0191 424 7300

· Patients from Sunderland can call the Sunderland NHS Specialist Stop Smoking Service on 0800 169 9913.

· Or you can call the national NHS Smoking Helpline number 0300 123 1044

If you have any queries about the Trust’s smokefree pledge, please email [email protected]

A message from the Editor

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. SImply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.