Hospital sites set to go fully smoke free

Bosses at a hospital trust have announced their sites will go entirely smoke-free in a bid to encourage patients and staff to kick the habit.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM), which runs Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford, will be completely smoke-free from 1 April.

Smoking will not be permitted anywhere on the grounds, including within car parks or outdoor areas.

Bosses said they would also work with stop smoking services to provide advice and support for people who want to quit. "We know quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health," said Kimberly Perickathara, UHNM's tobacco dependency lead nurse.

If a member of our staff sees someone smoking on-site, they will ask that person to stop, she said.

The trust highlighted smoking was the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the UK, and by going smoke-free it was aiming to create safer, healthier spaces.

UHNM cares for more than two million people each year, and provides emergency treatment as well as planned operations and medical care.

The smoke-free initiative was expected to protect patients, visitors and staff from harmful second-hand smoke as well as giving smokers an incentive to quit.

Help is available free-of-charge through NHS stop smoking services - including nicotine replacement therapies and tailored plans to help individuals succeed.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.