In just a few short weeks since it was launched, Hartlepool’s new Stop Smoking Service is already supporting 45 local smokers to quit the habit.
Commissioned by Hartlepool Borough Council, the service is delivered by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and Hartlepool & Stockton Health.
It complements existing stop smoking schemes in the borough and supports people to quit smoking through personal assessments at home or in clinics throughout the community. The team provides up-to-date advice on stop smoking products and motivation and behavioural change to help clients quit for good.
On No Smoking Day (Wednesday 12 March), the Hartlepool Stop Smoking Service team would like to introduce themselves.
Stop smoking advisor Jill Skelton said: “I’m passionate about helping clients to quit smoking after working in respiratory research for five years and often seeing patients with life-limiting respiratory conditions caused by smoking.
“Seeing patients say they wish they had never smoked heightened my wish to support clients to quit. The job brings the satisfaction of seeing clients’ joy and happiness when they have quit – that never gets old.”
Lucy Noble, stop smoking facilitator, said: “I’m passionate about the role because being able to see the achievement on people’s faces when they have managed to quit smoking makes their efforts worthwhile as well as the work that I and the team have done to help them achieve that goal.
“It might not seem like we are saving lives directly but in the long run we are saving people from preventable conditions.”
Natalie Brooks, tobacco dependency specialist and training lead, commented: “I had the pleasure of supporting 35 staff to quit smoking last year and it’s really exciting that I can support Hartlepool residents by prescribing nicotine replacement therapy.
“It is very rewarding to support people in making the decision to quit smoking and changing their lives.”
Councillor Brenda Harrison, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and Chair of the Hartlepool Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “Our new Stop Smoking Service is already off to a cracking start.
“With all the help and support available from this dedicated team – plus the support that was already available, including from our fantastic Community Navigators – there’s never been a better time for you to stop smoking.
“You can do it. Do it for yourself, do it for your family.”
While the new service has only recently begun, three Hartlepool residents who have previously accessed stop smoking support through existing stop smoking services have shared their views on the help they received to stub out cigarettes for good.
Paul Brazell, 58, stopped smoking about six months ago. He commented: “It wasn’t easy but the vapes helped. The service was really helpful.”
Dave MacSween, 74, has seen the benefit in his pocket since he quit. Dave said: “I used to spend more than £150 a month on smoking. Now I spend £5 per week on vapes. Since quitting I have bought a new TV, a laptop, an apple watch and paid for a holiday.”
The Hartlepool Stop Smoking Service can be contacted on 01642 383819.