Community Healthcare Donegal were successful at the recent Tobacco Free Campus Bursary awards ceremony in Dublin on 1st June, where financial incentives were awarded to support the implementation of the HSE Tobacco Free Campus Policy.
Donegal had nine successful applications with six sites from Mental Health Services and 3 from Older Persons Service.
These include Ascain Training and Support Services in Carndonagh, Dungloe and Letterkenny, Cleary House in Letterkenny, Rowanfield House in Donegal Town and Park House in Dungloe.
From Older Persons Services recipients included Ballyshannon Community Nursing Unit, Falcarragh Day Hospital and Falcarragh Community Hospital.
Fiona Boyle, Tobacco Lead said: “We are committed to reducing the use of tobacco and its harmful health effects by creating a healthier tobacco free, clean environment for our staff, service users and visitors.
“Smoking/vaping by employees, patients/service users, visitors and any other parties has been prohibited within all HSE campuses since 31st December 2015.
“The aim of the policy is to help change social norms around tobacco use/vaping, treat tobacco addiction as a healthcare issue, and promote smoking cessation by actively advising, encouraging and supporting people to quit smoking.”
Martina Blake, National Lead, Tobacco Free Ireland Programme said: “Experience demonstrates that the successful implementation of Tobacco-Free Campus Policy requires a systematic approach and the proactive support of the service managers at all levels.
“A Tobacco Free Campus Bursary award process to assist in the smooth implementation and ongoing management of this policy across all services was introduced in 2018 and it has been very successful.”
Jacqui Mc Manus – Clinical Nurse Manage II – RowanfIeld House SRU, who has been a recipient of the TFC bursary for a third time said: “It gives our service the motivation to continue to maintain and develop our Tobacco Free Campus.
“It has resulted in great collaboration with the MDT, GP’s, Allied Health Professionals, groups like Ascain Training and Support Services, and community partners like the local Secondary School.
“We have developed new initiatives like bespoke signage which draws people’s eyes to the campus and reminds them of the work we do.
“Members of the public are remarking how well the campus looks and staff are happier now in their safe tobacco free environment.
Small, steady and continuous changes are the key and the results of all the work to date are very rewarding.”
