Forum chair fumes over smoking policy at hospitals

Outspoken HSE West Forum chairman, Councillor Pádraig Conneely, is fuming over the introduction of a new smoke-free campus policy in Galway University Hospitals.

Speaking at a recent HSE West Forum meeting, Councillor Conneely asked if the HSE had gone a “step too far” following its decision to ban smoking on the grounds of Merlin Park University Hospital and the University Hospital Galway sites.
The Fine Gael councillor recalled he had seen people outside the hospital in their pyjamas who were forced to go out on the public road for a smoke.
He said people could no longer smoke in the public car park and wondered how would the HSE “police” this new policy. “Is there a blue line where a person has to go outside to smoke or how will this work?” he asked.
It is no longer possible to smoke anywhere on the hospital grounds in entrances, doorways, walkways, internal roads, bus shelters, car parks, cars or bicycle shelters.
The introduction of this new policy is in line with GUH’s status as a health promoting hospital, a smoke-free hospital and its designation as one of the eight regional cancer centres in Ireland.
This policy will apply to all staff, patients, visitors, contractors and anyone who enters the hospital buildings or grounds. The HSE believes this will ensure a “healthier, safer and cleaner environment for all and better health outcomes for patients and staff”.
Galway PCCC health manager, Tony Canavan explained this new policy is in line with national guidelines concerning the introduction of smoke-free areas outside all public health facilities before 2015.
Since its introduction, Mr Canavan recalled people smoking on the grounds of GUH have been approached by staff to desist and in the majority of cases, the response has been very positive. With about 27% of the population classified as smokers, he noted about 80% of these want to kick the habit.
“We realise that the introduction of a Smoke Free Campus policy will take time to implement fully but the experience of the other hospitals has been very positive and based on a survey of patients and staff of GUH, we know the majority of people will support the implementation of the new policy.
“We will be able to grant exemptions to the policy for patients in certain circumstances, with the input from their consultant.
“In this way, we may make exceptions for the most vulnerable patients while also encouraging all other patients to adopt healthier tobacco-free lifestyles in order to decrease the incidence of smoking related disease.
“Providing a smoke-free environment sends a clear message that this hospital is committed to protecting and promoting the health of our patients, staff and all who visit Galway University Hospitals,” he said.
However, Councillor Conneely was still not happy and asked what would happen if a patient left the hospital grounds for a smoke and was hit by a car, who would be responsible.
Mr Canavan replied this person would have to take ­responsibility for their own actions once they stepped outside the hospitals grounds.
Councillor Conneely retorted, “The courts may disagree.”
Meanwhile, Dr Jim ­Crowley, consultant cardiologist at GUH, warned smoking is the single biggest cause of ill-health and death in society; the single biggest cause of cancer and chronic chest diseases and a significant cause of cardiovascular disease and exacerbation of diabetes.
“This major cause of illness, chronic disability and death, is preventable, yet accounts for some 5,500 deaths in Ireland each year.
“Most smokers want to quit and most also would prefer that they never started smoking in the first place,” he said.
“The HSE has also ­developed a QUIT campaign to provide supports for people who want to quit smoking.”