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Smoking in a non-smoking hospital

Posted By ArmadaleOutpatient

"Smoking in a non-smoking hospital"

About: Armadale Hospital / Community Rehabilitation & Aged Care Clinic

(as the patient),

Coming in for respiratory physiotherapy appointment and walking up from the carpark, I was greeted by a cloud of smoke as I approached the entrance of Armadale Hospital. Having made the conscious decision to cease smoking due to health issues, I assertively reminded the person smoking that this was a non-smoking hospital. As a response, I was spat at, verbally abused and was redirected to "hell" by this person.

I believe it may be worth considering removing the bench seat from near the entrance as more often than not, I believe it is used by smokers than any other group of people. In my opinion, staff walk past or, as witnessed today, avoid this route walking on the road to avoid confrontation or the cloud of smoke. 

As a non-smoking hospital, I believe there should be some "active" strategies in place to ensure the health and safety of patients, staff and visitors.

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Responses

Response from Diane Barr, Executive Director, Armadale Kalamunda Group 3 years ago
Diane Barr
Executive Director,
Armadale Kalamunda Group

Submitted on 27/10/2020 at 3:33 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:54 PM

picture of Diane Barr

Dear ArmadaleOutpatient,

Thank you for taking the time to express your concerns about your experience during your visit to Armadale Health Service (AHS).

Firstly, I would like to sincerely apologise for the incident which occurred when you attempted to remind a member of the public that smoking was not permitted on hospital grounds.

I would like to assure you that as a Health Service we want all patients, visitors, staff and volunteers to enjoy a safe, healthy and comfortable environment, which is why AHS prohibits smoking on the grounds.

AHS displays a multitude of signage as well as a continuous PA announcement which reinforces the hospital’s no smoking policy. As described in your correspondence the area in which the person was smoking is certainly in the vicinity of the announcement, so unfortunately, it appears they chose to ignore this.

In addition to the announcement, we promote the enforcement of the policy with our Security Officers regulating this on the grounds as well as empowering our staff to call out such behaviour when witnessed. I acknowledge, as experienced by yourself, this is a challenging policy to enforce and we continue to look for active initiatives to assist in making the Armadale Hospital site a safe environment for our patients, visitors and staff.

Removal of the bench has been considered however the benefit it provides to patients and visitors, particularly the frail or challenged is considered very important.

We will continue with our diligence in preventing this behaviour and thank you again for expressing your concern. I would recommend however that you do not place yourself at risk by approaching anyone directly in the future and advise an Armadale Hospital employee or the reception officer who can then alert security.

Kind regards

Di Barr

Executive Director

Armadale Kalamunda Group

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