The team who support patients at Stepping Hill Hospital to stop smoking are celebrating this Stoptober with yet another success story; helping another long term smoker to quit.
Helen Thomas from Heaton Norris came into hospital following a fall at her house in July. She needed a hip replacement and was in hospital for three weeks. The surgical team put her in touch with the hospital CURE Team and she decided it was time for her to finally stop smoking.
Now retired, Helen had along and stressful career in finance journalism, and says she has been a smoker for nearly 60 years. With advice from the team, and in particular with the nicotine patches replacements they offered as support, Helen made a success of it and has not smoked since.
Helen said; “Nicotine patches have been the key for me, they’ve made a real difference and have made giving up much less of an ordeal. I’m really pleased that I asked the CURE team for help, they’ve been a great support.”
Helen Thomas
After months of non-smoking Helen already feels healthier, but she says the biggest thing she’s noticed is the big savings in her bank balance.
“It’s incredible the amount I’ve been able to save since I stopped. Smoking nearly twenty cigarettes a day meant I was spending over £100 a week – it soon adds up! I’m pleased to be able to spend this on things which are more worthwhile.”
The CURE team have now helped over 1200 people to quit smoking and stay stopped over the long term since they were set up in 2020. They’ve calculated this has saved these patients over £13 million between them, on top of the huge health benefits of stopping.
The team are part of Greater Manchester-wide CURE project of comprehensive secondary care treatment for tobacco addiction. They make sure all active smokers admitted to hospital are immediately offered specialist support from the team, together with nicotine replacement therapy and other medications for the duration of their admission, and after discharge too.
Anju Baby, CURE Specialist Nurse said “We are very proud and pleased to hear how well Helen has done on her stop smoking journey. Quitting smoking can be challenging, but it is one of the most important steps a person can take to improve their health. Supporting patients through that process is a valuable and rewarding part of our role, and it is great to see the positive difference it can make to their lives.”
For more information on CURE visit https://thecureproject.co.uk/ If you’re interested in stopping smoking outside hospital and are registered with a Stockport GP, then visit https://www.healthystockport.co.uk/topic/smoking or https://makesmokinghistory.co.uk/