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Smoking in hospital grounds

Posted By Where to now

"Smoking in hospital grounds"

About: Royal Perth Hospital / Adult Mental Health Ward 2K

(as a relative),

,A family member was admitted to the Mental Health Unit at Royal Perth Hospital, the garden area off their entertainment relax room had smoke free signs everywhere and big policy signs about RPH being a smoke free environment.

The garden area inside the hospital grounds was covered in cigarette butts and there were ashtrays on the outdoor settings. When we complained about the smoking on the grounds, staff said it's all too hard and the patients don't listen. I was absolutely shocked at the state of this area in the Mental health unit and the lack of compliance by a government department. I'm quite sure a private facility would be fined by the health department if they allowed this behaviour in their smoke free zones. I understand that smokers require somewhere to smoke, so make an area for them don't just ignore the issue and then the none smokers have nowhere to go and relax and try to calm their minds. This was a huge issue for my relative who was admitted for mental health issues and did not go anywhere to assisting their road to wellness. Very disappointing hopefully it can be looked at and an area set aside for the smokers.

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Responses

Response from East Metropolitan Health Service 7 years ago
East Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 22/02/2017 at 12:27 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:57 PM

Dear Where to now

Thank you for taking the time to write. I absolutely share your frustration and believe it is unacceptable. Smoking is not allowed on hospital grounds however we simply do not have the resources to dedicate staff to solely monitor an area to stop potential smokers. I have personally raised this issue with staff at forums and we do encourage staff to be brave enough to challenge – as you can imagine they can on occasion be met with hostility.

We have explored the idea of smoking shelters but in the past the ban on on-site smoking has meant that this has not been a possible solution. We will re-explore and I will feedback.

Many thanks for taking the time to write.

Aresh Anwar

Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Hospital Group

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Update posted by Where to now (a relative)

Thanks Aresh, I hope you have better joy in seeking authorisation to provide some smoking shelters and I do understand the difficult task staff have enforcing the non smoking rule. Look forward to your feedback.

Regards

Response from Aresh Anwar, Executive Director, Royal Perth Bentley Group 7 years ago
Aresh Anwar
Executive Director,
Royal Perth Bentley Group

I am a doctor and my job at Royal Perth and Bentley Hospitals is to help co-ordinate all the elements of the hospital to ensure patients get the best clinical outcomes and experience

Submitted on 16/06/2017 at 1:47 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 1:57 PM

picture of Aresh Anwar

Dear Where to now,

Just to follow-up as promised, with where we left off regarding the issue for the provision of designated smoking areas; we have re-explored the options for this, and unfortunately are not able to set up any smoking shelters on-site.

We are encouraging our staff to be brave enough to challenge this, and are also going to engage with Keep Australia Beautiful (WA) going forward.

Thank you however for taking the time to tell us about your experience here.

Kind regards

Dr Aresh Anwar

Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Hospital group

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