A new Stop Smoking Canterbury service will commence on 1 October 2016. This is a collaborative initiative and will be an important part of an integrated and cohesive tobacco control system across Canterbury. The Service vision is to provide a quality cessation service that is person-centred, easily accessible, and meets the needs of individuals and whānau to become Smokefree.
This integrated service will be overseen by the Canterbury Clinical Network (CCN) and continues to be developed and supported by a collaboration of organisations including Manawhenua ki Waitaha, Māori health service providers, the Canterbury West Coast Branch of the NZ College of Midwives, CanBreathe, Quitline, Mental Health providers, Primary Health Organisations, Canterbury DHB and the Canterbury Community Pharmacy Group. Until recently, Pacific Trust Canterbury was also involved, and steps are underway to ensure continued Pasifika involvement in the service.
The new service will replace the three outgoing specialist services for priority populations – Aukati KaiPaipa, Innov8Smokefree and Pacific Trust Canterbury services – the former two continuing to provide their existing services until 30 September.
“Stop Smoking Canterbury” will be open to everyone, while focusing on priority populations where prevalence or risk is high: Māori, Pacific, pregnant women or family members who smoke and are living with a pregnant women, youth, those with mental health issues, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse populations (particularly Asian populations), rural populations and people who live in specific geographical locatons which either have a high prevalance of smoking or are in an area of high neighbourhood deprivation.
The new service will deliver more intensive stop smoking services for those requiring a higher level of support, and will align with the services already provided by Quitline, CanBreathe and the 3 Canterbury PHOs to ensure a more co-ordinated whole of system response to smoking cessation. A range of delivery partners are involved to maximise accessibility both with respect to culture and location. Stop Smoking Practitioners will be available across Canterbury to deliver evidence based, multi-session face to face behavioural support, and assist people to access and use the full range of appropriate stop smoking medicines.
Referring people to “Stop Smoking Canterbury” is now possible* via the details provided below:
0800 425 700
Fax 03 379 6125
Email: smokefree@cdhb.health.nz
*Please note that the new service formally opens on 1st October. While referrals can now be accepted via the above details, patients and clients will continue to be supported by staff in the current services until 30th September.