Don’t be surprised if….
we ask about your smoking and drinking habits
As a health organisation we have a responsibility to protect and improve the overall health and wellbeing of our patients and staff. So don’t be surprised if we ask you about your alcohol consumption and whether you smoke when you’re in one of our hospitals for treatment. We take your health seriously and will take the opportunity to ask if you’re concerned about your habits and whether you would like support to change or stop them.
If we help people to have healthier diets, drink alcohol within the recommended daily limits, stop smoking, maintain a healthy weight and take regular exercise, the benefits to their physical and mental health would be enormous.
Across the Midlands area:
- 20% of the population smoke
- 25% are drinking at increasing risk or high risk levels
- 61% of men and 71% women do not meet recommended physical activity levels
- 75% of men and 71% of women do not eat five fruit and vegetables a day
We know that the average life expectancy of local people ranges from 68 to 89 years and if someone made a healthy lifestyle choice (stop smoking, do more activity, eat healthily or cut their alcohol consumption) then they would live, on average, 14 years longer than those who did nothing, and these are quality years.
A short film on peoples alcohol experiences and changes (video)
A short film on quitting smoking (video)
Here at Leicester’s Hospitals we know that we can help do something about this, which is why we are focusing on the benefits of reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking by supporting our staff to make every contact with their patient count.
Our staff will take the opportunity to ask you whether you are concerned about your smoking and drinking habits and provide you with support and advice if you are. They can then provide simple, brief lifestyle information and signpost patients to existing services if that’s what is needed.
Here at Leicester’s Hospitals we are committed to playing our part in Making Every Contact Count to improve the lives of local people.
Please don’t be surprised when we ask; we’re doing it because we care!
Further information can be found at www.drinkaware.co.uk
The video below also looks at the effects of regularly drinking too much alcohol and the benefits of drinking less such as a slimmer waistline, better sleep and a reduced likelihood of developing cancer, heart disease and other long term conditions.
