This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-13603200
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Smoking shelter call at Morriston Hospital in Swansea | Smoking shelter call at Morriston Hospital in Swansea |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A health watchdog has called for a "smokers' shelter" at a hospital where a patient with broken legs discharged himself early so he could light up. | A health watchdog has called for a "smokers' shelter" at a hospital where a patient with broken legs discharged himself early so he could light up. |
The community health council in Swansea heard that the man, a 40-a-day-smoker, was admitted to Morriston Hospital after a motorbike crash. | |
The hospital has a strict no-smoking policy in its grounds as well as on wards and he left two days early. | The hospital has a strict no-smoking policy in its grounds as well as on wards and he left two days early. |
But a hospital spokeswoman said there were no plans for a smokers' shelter. | |
Brendan Campbell, a member of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) Community Health Council, said the man's case was an example of how patients with a craving to smoke were discharging themselves "days early" to smoke at home. | Brendan Campbell, a member of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) Community Health Council, said the man's case was an example of how patients with a craving to smoke were discharging themselves "days early" to smoke at home. |
He said: "I know of one patient who discharged himself two days before his treatment was finished and another who walked out the day before he was due for discharge. | He said: "I know of one patient who discharged himself two days before his treatment was finished and another who walked out the day before he was due for discharge. |
"One was being treated for broken legs after a motorbike accident and another had MRSA from a leg injury. | "One was being treated for broken legs after a motorbike accident and another had MRSA from a leg injury. |
"They were heavy smokers on 40 a day and were expected to go cold turkey right away - it's so stressful and unfair for them." | "They were heavy smokers on 40 a day and were expected to go cold turkey right away - it's so stressful and unfair for them." |
He added: "We have got to recognise that smoking is an addiction and to be in hospital for days without a smoke can be very stressful." | He added: "We have got to recognise that smoking is an addiction and to be in hospital for days without a smoke can be very stressful." |
A Morriston Hospital spokeswoman said: "We have a no-smoking policy for the grounds." | A Morriston Hospital spokeswoman said: "We have a no-smoking policy for the grounds." |
Meanwhile, from the beginning of May, smoking has been banned outside hospital entrances in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. | Meanwhile, from the beginning of May, smoking has been banned outside hospital entrances in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. |
Patients and staff will be allowed to smoke only in certain areas until a complete ban takes effect in November. |