Services Database Smoking Cessation Service (Birmingham Area)

The core elements of the service are the provision of behavioural support and pharmacotherapy.

The service aims are to maximise the number of smokers accessing the service and quitting long-term, contributing to the reduction of smoking prevalence in Birmingham.

Service providers are able to issue NRT for clients. Pharmacists accredited to provide Champix can do so under the Champix PGD, otherwise the client must be referred to their doctor. Clients requiring bupropion should be referred to their doctor.

Target group clients are as follows:

• young people aged between 12 and 19 years;
• routine and manual workers; and
• people living in deprived areas.

Any clients that do not meet the above criteria should be recorded as general clients.

Due to a successful initial phase, a pilot which allows the provision of electronic cigarettes has been expanded to all pharmacies delivering smoking cessation services in Birmingham. E-cigs may be dispensed under this pilot for a maximum of 12 weeks.

Staff must be trained in the provision of Stop Smoking Services to the recognised National Centre for Smoking Cessation Training (NCSCT) standards.

The stop smoking advisor training is a 2-day programme provided by Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust (BCHC).

In addition, all advisors are required to meet the necessary update requirements, currently attendance at an annual update provided by BCHC.