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Hornery, Sonia to the
Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research
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- Does the Government intend to enforce the rule to stop people from smoking
near hospital entrances or indeed on any of the grounds, car parks or in any
vehicles on site, so that the health and comfort of constituents will be
assured?
- Has this policy failed to stop people lighting up at the John Hunter
Hospital in Wallsend because it is not being enforced?
- Will the Government assure patients, visitors and staff of major public
hospitals that the No Smoking policy around those hospitals is succeeding?
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Answer -
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- to (3) The NSW Health Smoke Free Workplace Policy prohibits smoking in all
buildings, vehicles and property controlled by NSW Health. The purpose of the
Policy is to reduce the number of patients, staff and visitors exposed to
second-hand tobacco smoke when in contact with NSW Health's
facilities.
It is understood that Local Health Districts have taken
an educative approach to promoting compliance with the Policy including
undertaking community awareness campaigns, developing brochures for patients
and visitors and introducing prominent signage.
Local Health Districts
have introduced processes for managing smokers who do not comply with the
Policy.
John Hunter Hospital is a smoke-free zone and signage is
prominently displayed across the Rankin Park Campus to remind all patients and
visitors of this. The signage is particularly prominent in high-traffic areas
such as outside the emergency department.
The NSW Government is committed
to the NSW Health Smoke Free Workplace Policy. The Policy is currently under
review. The revised Policy will draw on best practice among NSW Local Health
Districts on successfully implementing smoke-free health facilities.
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Question asked on 4 August 2011 (session 55-1)
and printed in
Questions & Answers Paper No. 28
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Answer received on 8 September 2011
and printed in
Questions & Answers Paper No. 40
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