“Stop before the Op” campaign lets smokers know that giving up smoking can speed up their recovery, post-surgery.
Smokefreelife Berkshire are launching their “Stop before the Op” campaign to ensure people stay in their best health during and after their operation.
Smokers in Reading are being offered full professional support to quit in preparation for their elective surgery and can approach their GP, Pharmacy and local community based services. In addition support is also available through a telephone based Quitline service, which includes evenings and weekends. With free weekly professional support and free Nicotine Replacement therapy giving up smoking in Reading has never been easier.
Smokers who are referred to their local stop-smoking service are 4 times more likely to quit successfully with support and are more motivated when in hospital or awaiting surgery. Evidence shows those who quit smoking at this time are more likely to abstain and stay quit for good.
“As health professionals, any encouragement we can give our patients who smoke to quit is time well spent! And the anticipation of a forthcoming op, knowing that the risk of a good outcome and a speedy recovery is greater in non-smokers provides a great incentive. I propose we recommend all our smokers, before referring for elective surgery to contact Smokefreelife Berkshire to help them quit” said Dr Rosemary Croft – Milman Road Surgery, South Reading CCG.
“The health gain from stopping smoking pre-op is a pretty immediate incentive to stop smoking and hopefully patients can build on their short term gain to go on and quit for good, having a much greater long term health gain, so please refer to the stop before the op service” said Dr Rod Smith – Balmore Park Surgery, North & West Reading CCG.
“Our goal is to make sure that people remain in their best possible health during and after their surgery. Smokefreelife Berkshire advisors will support you every step of the way and I strongly recommend taking up the opportunity for free support to quit” said Lisa McNally, Consultant in Public Health for Bracknell Forest Council
If you would like to refer yourself to this service call 0800 622 6360 or email info@smokefreelifeberkshire.co.uk
Listen to the Smokefreelife Berkshire Manager speaking about the Stop Before the Op Campaign as featured on Berkshire’s 107 Jack FM Radio Station.
You can read the press releases for our other areas here-
Stop Before the Op West Berkshire
Stop Before the Op Windsor & Maidenhead
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