Walsall Council Public Health has commissioned Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to provide evidence-based smoking cessation support to patients who attend ED and anyone who accompanies them.

This support will be in the form of advice and an onward referral to a local stop smoking support service in their area.

Walsall patients will also be offered the ‘Swap to Stop’ scheme, where they can receive a four-week vape starter kit and ongoing support for up to 12 weeks.

The new service will see a specialist member of staff available to speak to people from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The team will also follow-up out of hours attendances to ensure everyone who would like support is offered it.

The team also offers dedicated support for pregnant women to stop smoking, including behaviour change techniques and nicotine replacement therapy including vapes.

Alison Yates, Tobacco Dependency Service Lead, said: “As far as we know, this type of service is not being trialled anywhere else in the country, so it’s a huge accomplishment for us here at Walsall.

“It will be great for the people of Walsall to have access to this service to help them stop smoking.

“Stopping smoking is one of the best things people can do to improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that most people who come into hospital who smoke want to stop. But quitting on their own is hard. People who access professional support, and the right nicotine aid for them, are three times more likely to succeed with their stop smoking attempt”.

A launch event will be held on Wednesday, 23 July, in ED and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) waiting areas. A promotional stand will also be held near Costa.

There will be representatives from Black Country ICB, Walsall Council Public Health, Smoking in Pregnancy Specialist Advisors and community stop smoking service providers. All will be on hand to offer advice and explain how support can be accessed.

Other support services available include Be Well Walsall, with expert one-to-one support (virtual, phone or in person) from a qualified health and wellbeing coach, alongside free nicotine replacement therapy and vapes for up to 12 weeks. There is also a new digital app option, Quit with Bella, providing digital behavioural support, access to ‘a person’ when needed, in your own time and 12 weeks of NRT/vapes. ideal for those that prefer an online method of support.

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council, said: “This project is a fantastic step forward in supporting the health and wellbeing of our residents.

“By offering quit smoking support directly in Walsall Manor Hospital’s Emergency Department, we’re meeting people at a critical moment and giving them the tools to make a life-changing decision.

“We are leading the way with this innovative approach, and I encourage anyone who is considering quitting smoking to take advantage of the help and support available.”