The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7418 p327
16 September 2006

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Variations across England in smoking cessation revealed

Variations exist across England in provision of smoking cessation services, according to the results of a review published by the Healthcare Commission this week.

The commission’s performance review of tobacco control and stop smoking services showed that although no primary care trusts were judged to be weak (performing below minimum requirements), only 33 per cent were designated excellent (providing services that went beyond minimum requirements and considered to be leaders in the field). Fifty-six per cent of PCTs were considered good (performing beyond minimum requirements) and 11 per cent were fair (meeting minimum requirements).

PCTs in the most deprived areas achieved the best scores — almost 50 per cent scored excellent and only 2 per cent scored fair. In contrast, PCTs in the most affluent areas achieved the lowest scores (less than 20 per cent scored excellent and 25 per cent scored fair).

The performances of Gateshead PCT and South Tyneside PCT were considered excellent in the review. Pharmacy staff in the region were involved in an initiative called “drop in 2 quit” earlier this year (PJ, 4 March, p254). Clinics staffed by smoking cessation advisers, including pharmacists and pharmacy staff, were held on eight consecutive weekends. The service was accessed by 692 people, 675 of whom set a quit date and 371 of whom quit.

Maria Williams is stop smoking service co-ordinator for both South Tyneside PCT and Gateshead PCT and led the “drop in 2 quit” service. She believes that the PCTs scored so highly in the review because they have a well established, well known service, which delivers a wide range of choice for its users. The service has six specialist advisers and over 280 intermediate advisers from many professional groups. “The pharmacists and pharmacy staff played a really important role in delivering the programme. They were able to offer advice as well as prescribe and dispense nicotine replacement therapy, which helped us to provide a one-stop service,” she told The Journal. There are plans to rerun the initiative in both Gateshead and South Tyneside PCTs in October.