SOMERSET NEWS: Put that fag out message system at Musgrove Park Hospital

MUSGROVE Park Hospital in Taunton has seen the successful launch of stop-smoking voice systems at all the major entrances to the hospital – to reinforce the message to visitors that smoking is not permitted on site.

The recent launch followed on from the hugely successful Smokefree PA system outside the maternity unit, which was piloted last September.

The new PA systems have been strategically placed in smoking hotspots around the hospital. The areas included are: Accident and Emergency, The Beacon Centre, The Duchess Building and The Jubilee Building.

Now, whenever someone is seen to be smoking on site any member of staff or the public can press the blue ‘no smoking button’, which will play a pre-recorded message created by local school children out loud via a tannoy speaker.

PHOTO – TOP: People at the launch of the Smokefree PA system at Musgrove Park Hospital.

MusgroveParkHospital’s chief executive, Dr Sam Barrell, said: “It is really important for us as a hospital to promote healthy living to our patients, carers and family and friends, and part of that includes having an entirely Smokefree site.

“What we have now is a personalised announcement system available in every entrance, which is incredibly user friendly,” said Dr Barrell.

“If you happen to be here and you are walking past and you see someone smoking, please do press the button and hopefully that will encourage others to do the same.”

MusgroveParkHospital’s Smokefree Lead, Lucy Rexworthy, said: “Rolling out the PA systems across the hospital entrances has been another fantastic project to work on. The local children and parents who helped us record the messages have been brilliant and deserve tremendous recognition.

“What the Smokefree team believe to be so great about this rollout is that not only can our colleagues activate the system but patients and visitors too. We know that to change the culture of smoking on site, we will need the support of the public and we truly hope that incentives like this one will make it easier for the public to engage with our campaign to have an entirely smoke free hospital site.”

The pre-recorded, personalised Smokefree messages are spoken by local children, teenagers and adults. The push buttons are accessible to all; colleagues, patients, volunteers and visitors, to help protect themselves and others from the damaging effects of smoking.

For everybody’s benefit, please use the Smokefree buttons when you see someone smoking at nearby entrances, and help Musgrove Park Hospital to be Smokefree.

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