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"Staff smoking"

About: Western General Hospital / Oncology Western General Hospital / Radiotherapy

(as the patient),

I have been attending the Western General Hospital Edinburgh for the past 7 weeks undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I am raising a concern about the number of staff standing or sitting with their fold up stools smoking at the Crewe Road entrance to the hospital.

Although they are not in the main grounds of the hospital cancer patients are having to pass these staff to gain entrance to undergo their treatment. These staff are in full view of patients and always have had green uniforms on with the NHS logo on full display. Other than the risk of contamination and passing infection on to patients this conduct can been extremely stressful and distressing for cancer patients.

On leaving the hospital this morning I counted at least 5 of them again with green uniforms on smoking at the entrance.

On a lighter note I wish to praise the radiotherapy staff and the cancer nurses who have been fantastic during my treatment within the hospital.

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Responses

Response from Mariska Vernon-Stroud, Patient Experience Team Lead, Patient Experience Team, NHS Lothian 7 months ago
Mariska Vernon-Stroud
Patient Experience Team Lead, Patient Experience Team,
NHS Lothian

I gather feedback from patients to recognise good practise and supporting improving services in NHS Lothian.

Submitted on 11/09/2023 at 12:36
Published on Care Opinion at 13:26


Dear Dancekn38,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us and commenting on the positive care you are receiving from radiotherapy staff and cancer nurses.

Thank you for highlighting your experience of seeing and passing staff smoking whilst entering the hospital. I am sorry for the stress and distress this caused you and many other cancer patients. This is an issue we are aware of as an organisation and are committed to supporting staff to ensure our hospitals are smoke free environments. Your story and feedback are really useful to highlight the impact this has on patients, and I will ensure it is passed onto our Public Health team. The Public Health team are currently exploring a variety of organisational initiatives to support staff with regards to smoking cessation and adherence to smoking free guidance.

Thank you and I wish you all the best in your ongoing treatment.

Mariska

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