Smoking Cessation Service

Context:

In January 2019, the NHS published its Long Term Plan - Chapter 2 of this plan details their ambition to make England Smoke-free by supporting people in contact with NHS services to quit - the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation (OMSC).

The OMSC seeks to establish the smoking status of all patients admitted to hospital. Provision of brief advice/counselling, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and/or other pharmacological interventions follow suit. Once coupled with post-discharge follow-ups - these measures have been shown to increase the likelihood of cessation.

Smoking Cessation Service (SCS):

The Smoking Cessation Service (SCS) is a new Advanced Service under the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF). As an Advanced Service, contractors have a choice as to whether they elect to provide it. Careful consideration must be given to whether the SCS is likely to be utilised at your site and whether you have the capacity to deliver it. It is advisable that you familiarise yourselves with the content of this page (and the resources listed below), to inform your decision making process.

On 24/02/22 NHS England & Improvement published the draft service specification for the SCS - this can be accessed here. The SCS will enable NHS trusts (Hospitals) to refer patients (on discharge) to their preferred community pharmacy for smoking cessation treatment (provision of medication and/or support). The service will officially commence on 10/03/22.

Resources:

Member Support Brief SCS (Version 1)

SOP - Smoking Cessation Service

SCS - A Guide for the Pharmacy Team

SCS - GP - Notification of Intent to Begin Providing the Service

SCS - GP - Notification of Discharge from the SCS

SCS - NHS Trust Tobacco Dependency Team - Notification of Discharge from the SCS