Total smoking ban considered

Currently there is a smoke free zone 10 metres around Craigavon and Daisy Hill Hospitals and within its buildings.

However patients, visitors and staff are permitted to smoke outside that zone.

The Western Trust plans to completely ban smoking anywhere on its grounds including buildings, entrances, pavements and car parks. It will include everyone including patients, service users, staff, member of the public and contracted workers.

This is a step further than the previous Western Trust policy as there will be no shelter where patients can smoke and staff will not be allowed to smoke in their cars on site.

When asked by the Mail if the trust planned a similar move, a spokesperson said: “The trust will be reviewing Its Smoke free policy in the coming year and considering future plans to extend smoke free areas on health and social care grounds.

“The trust’s current policy is smoke free buildings and a smoke free zone of 10 metres around Craigavon and Daisy Hill hospital buildings,” said the spokesperson.

Western Trust chief executive Elaine Way said: “The health of our patients and staff is a top priority for the trust.”