The NCSCT was commissioned to support delivery across a number of the London Health Improvement Board's smokefree objectives.
Significant progress has made in the following areas (December 2012):
- Improving standards by increasing the number of Stop Smoking Practitioners engaging with the NCSCT on-line and face-to-face training programmes:
•73% increase in the number of practitioners now passed Stage 1 (NCSCT Certified)
•311% increase in the number who have also passed Stage 2 (Full NCSCT Certification)
•120 additional practitioners have received face-to-face training in behavioural support
- Work is underway with a number of stop smoking service providers to conduct an Independent Provider Review. This will provide external assurance of quality and performance and identify good practice to support both providers and commissioners in further improving their stop smoking services.
- The NCSCT Stop Smoking Referral System is now being fully implemented in two London Acute Trusts – Lewisham and Chelsea & Westminster (funded by LHIB). As a result of this work a number of other London trusts have also been able to secure funds to support a similar programme of work, meaning that by January 2013 there will be at least 5 Trusts across London implementing electronic referral systems.
- A survey into the attitudes and usage of illegal tobacco by people in London has been conducted, providing an insight into patterns of purchasing across different social groups and a baseline from which to begin addressing the problem. A pan-London stakeholder engagement event chaired by the Deputy Mayor was held with representatives from HMRC, London Trading Standards, Metropolitan Police, Department of Health, Local Authorities and NHS and a steering group is now meeting to agree next steps and develop a programme for action.
For further information on any aspect of this work or to enquire about consultancy services the NCSCT is able to offer in relation to tobacco control issues, please contact Jo Locker, Tobacco Control Delivery Manager – jo.locker@ncsct.co.uk.