The Health Promoting Health Service (HPHS) initiative aims to support the development of a health promoting culture within the organisation.

Launched in 2015, it applies to all acute, mental health, maternity, paediatrics and community hospitals across Scotland.

NHS Lanarkshire is fully behind it and there is HPHS work currently taking place in relation to smoking, alcohol, maternity, food and health, staff health and wellbeing, reproductive health, physical activity and active travel, managed clinical networks, inequalities and person-centred care and mental health.

An important part of the HPHS is providing effective care to patients who smoke by treating their addiction to nicotine.

To address this, there is a Management of Nicotine Withdrawal Integrated Care Pathway (ICP), which aims to relieve patients’ discomfort from nicotine withdrawal while they are in hospital.

It also helps patients comply with the no smoking policy which prohibits smoking and e-cigarettes on all grounds including entrances and doorways.

Lynne O’Hare (pictured), health improvement senior tobacco/communications, said: “The ICP gives staff guidance to help identify a patient’s smoking status.

“We realise that not all those who smoke may be ready to quit, but it’s still very important we support them while they are in our care as it will help speed up their recovery and make their stay as pleasant for them, and everyone else, while they are receiving treatment.”

The on-site stop smoking services are also available to staff.