Guernsey hospitals made smoke-free

The grounds of Guernsey's hospitals will be made smoke-free from 2012, the Health and Social Services Department has announced.

Smoking will be allowed in the existing smoking shelters, which will be moved at least 15m from windows and doors.

It will be the first time smoking outside will be banned in the island.

Dr Stephen Bridgman, director of public health, said: "The revised policy provides greater protection for service users, visitors and our staff."

He said: "Smoking remains a major cause of preventable premature death and ill health."

The changes at Princess Elizabeth, King Edward VII and Castel Hospitals follows a two-year consultation on the department's smoking policy.

As part of the change staff will be offered support and three months of free nicotine replacement therapy.

Under the new policy any personal vehicles used for smoking are to be parked at least 15m away from windows and doors and all staff who smoke will be asked to take reasonable steps to protect service users and colleagues from the chemicals and smell of tobacco smoke by covering their working clothes when smoking.

The department said the policy for continuing care homes would be assessed on an individual basis and developed with the help of staff.
(from BBC)

maybe they should make drinking alcohol 15 metres away from town as well cut down on the number of assaults and such like,,,, when will crap like this ever end!

I thought we were liberated , Is this what my forefathers fought wars for to be dictated by a load of do gooders .

I would suggest that anyone with an illness stay clear of hospitals, we can't be to careful now can we . I wish all these do gooders p*** off somewhere remote the further the better.

This is a step too far .. how many will be omitted with flu after staning out there ..

what a stupid idea asking staff to cover up their working clothes when smoking.going outside in a uniform poses a greater risk to vulnerable ,sick patients...what will happen at the castel will patients who smoke have to be accompanied by a member of staff to have a ciggie ...x