Challenging health inequalities: tailored smoking cessation support for mental health patients
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Author(s)
Camilla Parker and Elena Ratschen
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| Presenter(s) |
Camilla Parker Research Assistant, UK Centre for Tobacco control studies, University of Nottingham |
Abstract Background:
Smoking remains a prominent cultural feature within mental health settings, with access to and appropriate tailoring of support services for tobacco dependence typically limited. Aims: To develop and implement a tobacco-dependence treatment service tailored to mental health acute and community patients in one of the largest mental health trusts in England; to identify barriers and facilitators associated with implementation; to develop collaboration between the Trust and local NHS SSS; to develop guidance for national roll-out in mental health trusts.
Methods:
After reviewing international evidence-based practice and an initial audit of existing trust smoking related procedures, a new treatment model has been implemented since October 2010. Two mental health professionals trained in smoking cessation provide acute and community patients with flexible support to follow structured quit and reduction programmes, through individual or group support. Staff training and smoking specific care-plans and referral pathways have also been developed. Results: Preliminary results indicate a demand for the service; challenges relating to the smoking culture have arisen and methods developed to overcome these will be presented. This is one of six inequalities in health pilots run under the auspices of the UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies, funded by the Department of Health
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Presenter biography Camilla Parker is a research assistant at the UK Centre for Tobacco control studies based at the University of Nottingham. She is working on a pilot project funded by the Department of Health which aims to develop and implement comprehensive smoking cessation support for mental health patients in acute and community settings.
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Source of funding: Department of Health
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Declaration of interest: None
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