NHS Vale of York’s Clinical Commissioning Group’s Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Mark Hayes, said: “I encourage smokers in the Vale of York to ditch the nicotine habit – especially if they are due to have hospital treatment or an operation; a time when it is even more important to give up cigarettes for good.

“Patients that smoke and have surgery are at the greatest risk of complications during or after an operation. These include potentially serious complications that can affect the lungs or heart as well as problems related to the general anesthetic which is vital in the majority of surgical procedures. Fighting infection is also more difficult for a smoker.

“Patients see the diagnosis of a smoking related illness as a wake-up call to stop smoking and given that a healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of post-operative complications. The ‘Stop before your op’ policy offers patients who smoke the ideal opportunity to give up before they are faced with the diagnosis of a serious condition.

“Nicotine is highly addictive but with help and support more and more people are finding it easier to stop. Because we are all different, some people will prefer one way to stop smoking as opposed to another.

“Your GP can help in lots of different ways to go smoke free including Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) sprays, gum and patches to manage withdrawal and prescription medicines such as Zyban and Champix.

“The CCG has worked closely with colleagues in the City of York Council’s Public Health Team to develop our policy which further promotes and enhances the important work of local stop smoking services and reinforces the CCG’s aim to achieve the best in health and wellbeing for everyone.”

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