Smoking Cessation Clinic at BHS
Dr Kate Hamilton, BHS September 08
As a preventative medicine initiative, BHS, with funding from GICS, is running a Smoking Cessation Clinic from October the 13th.
The primary objective is to give pre-admission patients, inpatients and staff access to a clinic that will support them in their endeavour to overcome their nicotine addiction.
The clinic is aimed at helping nicotine dependant smokers who want to quit for the first time, or who have tried before and relapsed.
About the clinic
The clinic follows a model based on programs developed at the Woolcock Institute (RPA Hospital Sydney) by Professor Renee Bittoun, and Colac Area Health Smoking Cessation Service, which recognizes and treats nicotine as an addiction not a habit. It utilises a combination of one-on-one counseling and pharmacotherapy. Research widely supports this model as one of the most successful ways to help people to quit smoking.
Clients will have individual appointments with specially trained Medical and Nursing staff. An initial assessment will be followed by weekly 15 minute appointments for around 8 weeks after quitting, and phone support as required. There will also be follow up at 3, 6 and 12 months via phone.
The program uses this individual approach to allow for the adjustment of nicotine replacement to suit the individual's needs, and ease withdrawal symptoms in clients choosing NRT.
Behavior and emotions play a large role in why people smoke. We will look at smoking triggers and develop plans and strategies to manage them.
Location
This clinic will be run out of the QE by specialist medical and nursing staff.
Cost
This is a free 8 week evidence-based program that we can provide to your patients. The only cost will be that of discharge medication.
Referral
We have designed a referral form, which can be downloaded from the forms and templates page (scroll down to 'Hospitals'). Mark the form for the attention of Kim Knights and fax it to 5320 4472.
We would encourage you to refer those patients with a nicotine addiction who would like to become smoke free.
Thanks!
Any feedback you may have will be welcomed, send to .
Thank you in advance.
This article is available online at http://bddgp.org.au/article/2008/09/smoking-cessation
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