Medics face total smoking ban at hospitals

Nov 1 2006 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

NURSES and doctors could face a total ban on smoking while in uniform at two Midland hospitals, it emerged today.

Bosses of Sandwell Hospital and City Hospital, pictured, who currently allow smoking only in outdoor shelters, are asking staff for their views on new, stricter rules.

Under the ban, health workers in uniform would not be able to light up in the grounds, even at smoking shelters, or in the street at the main entrances.

Cigarette butts were found in the basement at City Hospital, in Dudley Road, Winson Green, raising fears of fire.

John Adler, chief executive of the Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust, said: "Smoking at the hospital, especially in the basement, is a problem.

"We get complaints about the sight of staff smoking in shelters or in uniform, and how it is not sending out a good message.

"So we are consulting with staff whether to ban smoking for hospital staff on site altogether.

"This ban would be good for the public perception and also encourage staff to quit smoking."

Staff found smoking inside the hospital buildings already face the sack for gross misconduct.

The change in rules currently only relates to staff and does not affect patients and visitors.

Health chiefs across the region have started to introduce a zero tolerance stance on smoking.

Birmingham Children's Hospital was the first in the region to launch a total ban on smoking for both staff and visitors, removing its outside smoking shelters in October last year.

Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust banned smoking in and around its buildings, including the Princess of Wales Community Hospital, on April 1.

Medics were also banned from sparking up on duty and when they are out in the town, if they were in uniform.