A new tobacco dependency advisor at North Mid has encouraged smokers from Enfield and Haringey to take up the offer of help and quit this Stoptober on the launch of the Trust’s new Tobacco Dependency Treatment Service.

Tejal Dave, is one of two new TDAs, who will be providing patients with specialist in-house support to help them quit during and after their time at North Mid.

The team of advisors will support the delivery of the NHS Long term plans commitment to tackle avoidable illnesses, by providing in-house tobacco dependency services in maternity and inpatient settings.

Initially introduced in the Acute Medicine Unit (AMU), there will be a phased roll-out of the inpatient service with a view to being extended to all wards in the near future.

This means that from today, patients on AMU who smoke will now be able to receive specialist in-house support on the ward from the new Tobacco Dependency Treatment Team and improved follow-up care after being discharged.

The service has also launched in the Trust’s maternity department meaning expectant mothers from Enfield who smoke can, from today, access specialist support tailored to their needs including the provision of nicotine replacement therapy and behavioural support throughout their pregnancy.

It is hoped that following this one-year pilot, the service will be extended to all maternity patients, including those living outside of Enfield.

Launch of inpatient service on AMU

At North Mid, 17% of in-patients smoke and there are approximately 2,000 smoking-attributable hospital admissions per year. In Enfield, 10.2% of the adult population smokes and the smoking status of expectant mothers at the time of delivery is currently 5.3%.

This alongside smoking being the biggest single cause of preventable death and ill health in the UK and the single biggest modifiable risk factor for poor outcomes in pregnancy, highlights the need for further in-house support at the Trust.

Tejal said: “As a health professional, I have seen a vast variety of patients young and old admitted to hospital due to respiratory conditions and other health problems caused by a history of smoking.

“Removing this one risk factor from people’s life can increase their life span and quality of life. As a tobacco dependency advisor, I will be able to support our patients who smoke with the aid of nicotine replacement therapy and behavioural support.

“As our support is now available in-house, it means patients will not have to travel to a pharmacy or GP, meaning the change can start almost immediately.”