SMOKING BAN MET WITH ABUSE (From Thisisdorset)

SMOKING BAN MET WITH ABUSE

9:54am Wednesday 6th June 2007

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HEALTH bosses have been met with verbal abuse and threats of violence from patients and visitors for trying to ensure no smoking rules are adhered to.

Poole Hospital has admitted it is struggling to control smoking on the premises.

It raises the question of whether the situation will worsen once the public smoking ban becomes universally enforceable on July 1, as angry smokers refuse to comply.

NHS premises banned smoking on their property in advance of the nationwide ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.

But there have been complaints about smokers still clustering outside hospital buildings, including entrances to Poole Hospital.

A spokeswoman for Poole Hospital NHS Trust said: "We do challenge patients and members of the public if they smoke on our premises but quite often we are met with verbal abuse or threats of violence."

She added: "Poole Hospital is continuing to roll out its smoke-free policy and we enforce this as best we can. However, as a busy acute hospital which employs more than 4,000 staff and treats more than 250,000 patients per year, we cannot do this 24/7."

The Daily Echo has also received complaints about Poole Hospital staff allegedly taking cigarette breaks outside the main entrance, despite the ban.

One reader said: "I phoned the hospital and they were going to send someone to sort it but I pass most days and it is still the same."

The hospital spokeswoman said: "We will shortly be issuing advice to staff, which will say that they should not smoke while on duty, whether on or off the hospital site.

"However, this will not apply to unpaid breaks such as lunchtimes.

"If staff are seen smoking on the hospital site at present we do ask them to stop smoking and warn them that action might be taken against them if they continue to contravene the smoke free policy.

"Staff are given help and support to stop smoking and we have many success stories."

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