HOSPITAL bosses have banned workers from smoking -even when off-duty but wearing uniforms.

It means that whenever they are wearing their uniforms, even while going home, they cannot smoke.

Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust is believed to be the first in the country to make such a move. Workers will also be asked not to smoke in their cars if they are on business. Stricter rules are also being brought in covering hospital volunteers, contractors patients and visitors.

The trust's smoking policy says: "Smoking is not permitted within trust vehicles and privately owned vehicles on trust business. The policy of no smoking will apply to the car park.

"All staff should present a professional image to the public and should not be seen smoking.

"Staff should not be seen smoking in their uniforms or work attire at any time."

But bosses from the Unison union criticised the ban, branding it unworkable.

A spokeswoman said: "Unison supports a smoke-free workplace and we are fully in favour of that, but it is questionable as to whether trying to control and dictate what people do outside their work environment is acceptable. It is also questionable how workmanlike it would be. How would they monitor it?

"Surely people are not going to spend valuable time checking up on whether staff are having a fag in their car."

It is understood that while breaking the rules would not be a sackable offence, it would mean disciplinary action.

A spokesman for the trust said: "The approach we have taken is to encourage staff to stop smoking, which is why we have provided smoking cessation counselling and courses.

"However if a member of staff was in blatant breach of the ban, disciplinary action would be inevitable."