TWO health organisations in the North-East have linked to help staff cope with working in a smoke-free zone.
Darlington and County Durham Priority Services Trust has sought help from Darlington Primary Care Trust's smoking cessation services to support staff in the run up to a complete smoking ban being imposed in its workplaces.
Clinics have been held at mental health trust buildings, including the Pierremont Unit at Darlington Memorial Hospital, in preparation for the ban being introduced on December 1.
Karen Grigg, the priority services trust's human resources officer, said: "We are offering stop smoking clinics and allowing staff to attend them in work time. We are working towards a bronze clean air ward and want all of our 1,800 staff to be healthy."
Patients will continue to be provided with smoking areas but contractors and staff will not be allowed to use them or smoke inside or outside the trust's 83 buildings.
Primary care trust stop smoking advisor Claire Askew said: "Giving up smoking is the biggest single thing you can do to improve your health. This is an excellent opportunity to access support with the help of nicotine replacement therapies."
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