Butt-out kicking Lions Gate Hospital wins Smoke-Free Excellence Award
The Office of the Chief Medical Health Officer honoured Lions Gate Hospital’s Smoke-Free Campus Team the 2015 VCH Smoke-Free Excellence Award last month.
The award, first handed out in 2009, recognizes a staff member or team who displays leadership to encourage smoke-free environments through exemplary dedication, creativity, and innovation in the advancement of tobacco reduction in our health authority.
Dr. Meena Dawar, Richmond’s Medical Health Officer, travelled to the North Shore and attended the December meeting of LGH’s Take 30 to present the award, which was accepted by Leanne Appleton, Director Perioperative Services and Project Lead LGH Site Redesign, and Ira Roness, Manager Adult Mental Health Services – Hope Centre. (LGH is the fourth busiest hospital in the Lower Mainland.)
Team lauded for leadership, commitment
“Since launching in 2014, the Smoke-Free Campus Team has shown leadership, commitment and tenacity in carrying out this considerable campaign to enhance the Smoke-Free Policy on their campus,” noted Meena.
In order to increase compliance, initiatives such as staff walkabouts, improved use of nicotine replacement therapy, and staff education were used.
The Smoke-Free Policy Campaign at LGH is led by Leanne and a dedicated team of staff including Ira.
“Ira and the Hope Centre staff did an exemplary job implementing new procedures including screening all admitted patients for tobacco use, safeguarding tobacco products and ignition sources until patients go home and offering tobacco cessation counseling and education for patients,” says Sara Da Silva, VCH’s Regional Tobacco Reduction Coordinator.
Smoking ‘hot spots’ on the decrease
In recent audits completed by Paladin Security and the VCH Tobacco Reduction team, fewer people were observed smoking on the campus, the number of “smoking hot spots” decreased, and overall tobacco litter has decreased compared to last year.
“Leanne and her team are clearly passionate about creating an environment conducive to healing and recovery, supporting individuals to quit smoking, and protecting the public from second-hand smoke,” says Meena.
Leanne credits the hardworking, interdisciplinary LGH Smoke Advisory Committee for its success.
“Our individual members have embraced changing our culture and they have really stepped up by participating in weekly rounds on our site – entering into conversations with staff, patients and visitors on the importance of not smoking on site,” says Leanne.
The team continues working towards maintaining these smoke-free gains and keeping the momentum going. LGH’s campaign is now being modelled at other hospitals and mental health facilities across the region.