Quit book for all NHS stop smoking servicesWith the launch of Help Me Quit, a quit book available in a range of formats is being developed which will be used by all NHS stop smoking services across Wales. A single quit book will bring consistency in the promotion of Help Me Quit services through logo and colours, and also contain the most effective behavioural change techniques and key messages related to quitting smoking.
A task and finish group has been set up, with representation from all Help Me Quit service providers, to jointly develop a single quit book. As well as a review of the evidence on which behavioural change techniques are most effective in written resources, staff from all Help Me Quit service providers were asked to give their views on current resources and what they would like to see included in the new quit book. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the Survey Monkey questionnaire. Your views are essential to helping with the development of content. We are now at the stage of gaining feedback on the draft quit book from smokers who are currently using NHS stop smoking services.
In addition, interviews will be taking place with service users with the aim to develop an understanding of the language they use to describe NHS stop smoking services and ensure that this is reflected in Help Me Quit materials. It is anticipated that this will be completed by the end of November with the quit book being available from December 2017.
For more information please contact Helen Sullivan:
Helen.Sullivan@wales.nhs.uk.
ResourcesNHS Shared Services will be distributing Help Me Quit cards and card holders over the forthcoming weeks. The Help Me Quit card holders and cards will be sent directly to the primary care lists held by NHS Shared Services which covers General Practices, Pharmacies, Optometrists and Dentists.
Digital resources include but are not limited to: logo (with and without number), digital poster (portrait and landscape), individual icons for services, and interactive icons for choice, location and money saving. There is translated standard text and messages that can be used freely for updating web-content or newsletters.
If you require any Help Me Quit resources digitally to share amongst colleagues or to update your local web-pages/ newsletters etc please email
helpmequit@wales.nhs.uk.
Network launch eventThe Help Me Quit (HMQ) training and workforce development network is being established for all providers of NHS stop smoking services in Wales. The aim of the network will be to ‘support workforce development and improve the outcomes for smokers’. This will be done by:
1. Identifying training needs and providing opportunities for meeting these needs
2. Providing regular communication on HMQ system developments
3. Providing an online community for NHS smoking cessation providers to network and exchange ideas
4. Providing guidance, advice, information and mutual support for NHS smoking cessation providers and
5. Facilitating collaborative working across NHS smoking cessation service providers
The launch event on the 11th December 2017 will give delegates the opportunity to meet colleagues from other stop smoking service providers (community pharmacies, hospital services and Stop Smoking Wales) and contribute to the future direction of the network. We will also be launching the HMQ single quit book and Louise Ross (Stop Smoking Services Manager, Leicester City, England) will be holding a workshop on electronic cigarettes.
Automatic maternity referrals to Help Me QuitFollowing the successful implementation of an automatic referral route into Help Me Quit in ABM UHB, Powys Teaching Health Board is now following suit. This automatic referral route uses the information about smoking in the women’s smoking in Myrddin to create a referral directly to HMQ which ensures timely referrals into NHS stop smoking services. The project is looking to take 4-6 weeks to implement as it is in the last stages with Information Governance and NWIS. This route should offer a seamless referral process ensuring that pregnant smokers are offered expert support. Importantly, it meets NICE Guidance that indicates that all health professionals should offer brief advice and a referral to a stop smoking service to all pregnant smokers. It will also ensure accurate referral data is collected from maternity services for monitoring and identifying service improvements. .
If you have any questions on this project please contact SSW Senior Advisor Stephanie Hill :
Stephanie.hill@wales.nhs.uk or Cheryl Richards Public Health Practitioner (Health Improvement Division)
Cheryl.richards@wales.nhs.uk Join them on Twitter: @
Helpafiistopio | @
HelpMeQuitWalesLike the page on Facebook: @
helpmequitwalesPlease send any comments, suggestions or ideas for content to
helpmequit@wales.nhs.uk, the generic mailbox for Help Me Quit, Public Health Wales.