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Barnsley Hospital has extended its successful tobacco dependency treatment programme into Children’s Services, providing crucial support to patients aged 12 and over. The service extends to parents and carers and addresses the need to protect children from the harms of tobacco which can occur through smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke.
Routine clinical care at Barnsley Hospital already includes asking all adults admitted to hospital whether they smoke or vape and treating those who do with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), specialist advice and support.
From July to December 2024, over 1,800 people admitted to the hospital were recorded as having smoked in the previous two weeks, 82% of whom received specialist care from tobacco dependency advisors during their admission.
Dr Ceryl Harwood, Barnsley Hospital’s Consultant in Public Health, said: “Helping someone to stop smoking is one of the most important health interventions we can provide. Since treating tobacco dependency has become part of standard care at Barnsley Hospital, we’ve supported thousands of patients to be smoke free during their admission by providing expert support and early NRT treatment to prevent cravings.
“Being smoke free also helps people recover more quickly from illness and injury and many will then go on to stop smoking long-term, helped by post-discharge support from our excellent local community services.”
“We know that most adult smokers first tried cigarettes as a child, and that children with parents who smoke are more likely to start themselves.”
Lyndsay Fletcher, Matron for Children's Services, said: “Second-hand smoke lingers for up to five hours, contributing to higher rates of asthma attacks, chest infections, and other respiratory issues in babies and children.”
“There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco or second-hand smoke, especially for babies and children whose lungs and immune system are not fully developed; we are really pleased the service is now helping patients and families avoid the significant harms to health from tobacco.”
Dr Richard Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of Barnsley Hospital, said: “The programme extension is part of Barnsley’s broader efforts to ‘Make Smoking Invisible,’ ensuring smoke-free environments for people of all ages. By working with partners like the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and learning from programmes like Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust’s QUIT initiative, Barnsley Hospital is taking another step toward a healthier, smoke-free future.”
Parents, carers, and young people are encouraged to engage with the programme to help protect their health and the health of others from the harms of tobacco.
To find out more about Barnsley’s smoke free areas and the free local support available, visit Barnsley Council’s Making Smoking Invisible website, and Yorkshire Smokefree Barnsley.