Overview

We provide help and support if you want to stop smoking for good, or need help to manage nicotine cravings during your stay at our hospitals.

Our services include:

• tobacco screening and assessment
• treatments to help beat cravings
• motivational tips for staying on track
• managing a relapse after you stop smoking
• nicotine withdrawal management

Getting support

Our teams offer:

• support in our hospitals
• support in the community
• support in pregnancy

Support in our hospitals

You'll have the chance to stop smoking during or after your stay in hospital.

If you are staying in our hospitals, you'll be asked if you have smoked in the last 28 days. If you have you'll be offered nicotine withdrawal medicine by our ward staff. These include patches and mouth spray.

A tobacco dependence specialist will visit you to see how you are getting on with your nicotine withdrawal medicine. You'll also be able to talk about your options to get support to stop smoking.

Our hospitals and community sites are smoke-free. You cannot smoke, or use e-cigarettes, on any of our hospital sites, including outside areas.

Support in the community

If your appointment is in the community, please ask to be referred to your local stop smoking service.

We can provide support on a one-to-one basis:

• face-to-face
• by telephone
• by video

If you live in Lambeth and are finding it hard to stop smoking, our community service can help you. We can help if you:

• are housebound
• have a long-term physical or mental health condition
• have tried to stop smoking many times and not been successful

Lambeth council website has information and support to help you stop smoking.

Stop Smoking London has support services in London to help you stop smoking.

Support in pregnancy

We provide ongoing help and support if you want to stop smoking during your pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after your baby is born. Our team can give you information on treatments and other ways to manage any cravings. You can decide how and when you want to stop smoking.

Even if you have tried to quit in the past, the Phoenix team will be able to help you. We know stopping smoking can be hard. We will not judge you or make you feel guilty. We are here to give you expert information and support, and to help you find the way that works best for you.

Our service is run by qualified midwives, so we can help you with other aspects of your pregnancy during your treatment for tobacco dependency.

You can refer yourself to this service if you're having pregnancy care at St Thomas' Hospital and you smoke, or recently quit. Please email phoenixteam@gstt.nhs.uk or call 07752 785 873

Benefits of stopping smoking

As soon as you stop smoking your body begins to recover.

• Within the first hour, your body begins to get rid of toxins, circulation improves with blood pressure and pulse returning to normal.
• After 8 hours the levels of carbon monoxide in your body will reduce by half and your oxygen levels will return to the normal levels of a non-smoker.
• After just a few weeks you will really notice that your breathing will be easier and you will be increasing in energy levels.

Stopping before surgery

Stopping smoking before any planned hospital treatment is the best thing you can do. It will speed up your recovery and has many other health benefits. It's best to stay smoke-free afterwards for your health but even stopping temporarily until you recover will benefit you.

Try and quit at least 8 weeks before your surgery.

You should never smoke on the day of your surgery.

Some procedures need you to be nicotine-free for 3 months before surgery. Please check with your doctor or nurse.

Stopping smoking before your surgery will speed up your recovery. It helps to:

• reduce heart, lung and wound related complications
• reduce wound healing time
• reduce the time it takes for bones to heal after fracture repair
• reduce your length of stay in hospital

If you continue smoking some effects can include:

• anaesthetic related complications
• wounds can take longer to heal and are more likely to get infected
• an increased chance of bone fractures  not healing
• increased risk of chest infection post-surgery
• a higher risk of dangerous blood clots after surgery
• being hospitalised longer and increases the need for pain relief
• while uncommon, smokers are more likely to die in hospital following surgery

The NHS quit smoking guide has smoking facts and advice.

E-cigarettes

Research has found that e-cigarettes, also known as vaping, can help you give up smoking. Learn more about using e-cigarettes to stop smoking on the NHS website.

Research and clinical trials

Research is vital to improving the care that you receive when you're unwell. You can help improve healthcare by taking part in research studies at our Trust. During your appointment, ask your healthcare professional about research. They'll be happy to tell you about research studies you could be eligible to join.