NHS Confederation: Smoke-free regulations response
Monday, 17, Jul 2006 12:00
NHS CONFEDERATION RESPOND TO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONSULTATION ON SMOKE-FREE REGULATIONS
Commenting on the Department of Health consultation launch on draft regulations for a smoke-free future, Dr Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation which represents over 90 per cent of NHS organisations, said:
“More than 1,600 people die from smoking in England every week. NHS managers feel very strongly that a ban on smoking in all public places is crucial in the battle to reduce illness and death from smoking-related diseases.
“A recent poll of NHS chief executives revealed that 84 per cent favoured a complete ban in all public places - including membership clubs.
“However, we recognise that it is genuinely difficult imposing a complete ban for patients who have been compulsorily detained. The preference is for everywhere to be smoke-free, but this will need to be implemented sensitively for those living in psychiatric hospitals and units. It is important that people living in long-stay facilities have the same access to smoking cessation services as everyone else.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors
1. The NHS Confederation represents more than 90% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
2. Contact Media Relations Manager Joanna Clason on 020 7074 3306 or 07798 571078 or Senior Media Officer Amy Darlington on 020 7074 3304 or 07767 770309. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.
Joanna Clason
Media Relations Manager
Direct line: 020 7074 3306
Mobile: 07798 571078
E-mail: joanna.clason@nhsconfed.org
NHS Confederation
3rd Floor
29, Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DD
Tel: 020 7074 3200
Fax: 020 7074 3202
www.nhsconfed.org
The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS organisations across the UK.
The NHS in the UK 2006/07: a pocket guide, fully updated, order your copy now!
NHS Confederation annual conference and exhibition 2007, 20-22 June, London
NHS Employers, HR in the NHS 2007, 9-11 October, Birmingham