The Health Promotion Team are supporting Bayside Health Peninsula to provide an environment which supports the health of everyone who works, stays and visits the health service. A smoke and vape-free environment contributes to this goal by protecting staff, volunteers and visitors from second hand smoke and vapour. It also supports the health and recovery of patients, including those with respiratory conditions, recovering from illness or surgery, and participating in rehabilitation.
Bayside Health Peninsula has been a smoke-free environment since 2010. Smoking, vaping and the use of tobacco and aerosol products are not permitted anywhere on Bayside Health Peninsula sites, including buildings, entrances, grounds, car parks and vehicles.
Quit Victoria recommends that health services deliver a variety of approaches to reduce tobacco and aerosol related harm. Bayside Health Peninsula:
- Have a Smoke and Vape-free Environment Policy
- Have smoke and vape-free signage installed across the site. New signage includes a QR code to the Quit website enabling the community to easily access quit information, and the organisation to track the number of people accessing quit information via the QR code.
- Smoke and vape free audio messaging is broadcasted within close proximity of health service main entrances.
- Support and enable staff to provide personal and effective care to patients:
- An ‘Inpatient Clinical Management of Nicotine Dependency Clinical Practice Guideline’ supports staff to identify and manage nicotine dependency in in-patients
- A nicotine replacement therapy e-Learning module is available which all nursing and pharmacy staff are encouraged to complete. This training supports appropriate initiation and management of NRT for patients requiring abstinence support
- Provide treatment to assist nicotine dependence and management of unplanned nicotine withdrawal:
- Available to all in-patients who would like it.
- Staff and volunteers who want help to quit or remain smoke and vape-free while at work can access up to 12 weeks of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
The Health Promotion Team are collaborating with other health and hospital services from across South East Melbourne to better understand how compliance with smoke and vape free policies can be improved. Services involved are Alfred Care Group, Regional Care Group, Monash Health, Better Health Network, Quit Victoria, South Eastern Melbourne Public Health Unit and South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network.
For more information contact please email: smokefree@phcn.vic.gov.au.