Smoking is now forbidden at Mullingar Hospital.

The Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar – A Smoke Free Campus!!

The Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar campus became  a smoke-free zone on Friday, November 1.  Smoking is now not permitted anywhere on the hospital grounds (i.e. entrances, doorways, walkways, internal roads, bus shelters, car parks, cars, bicycle shelters etc). 
On the introduction of this new national policy, Mr. Trevor O'Callaghan Hospital Manager said this new policy is in-keeping with the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar status as a Health Promoting Hospital. The policy, which will apply to all staff, patients, visitors, contractors and anyone who enters the hospital buildings / grounds, will ensure a healthier, safer and cleaner environment for all and better health outcomes for patients.
Mr. Shu Hoashi, Clinical Director said, “Introducing the Smoke Free Campus policy at Mullingar Hospital provides an environment that promotes health and supports those who want to stop smoking.  The facts are undisputable when it comes to the health gains; giving up smoking greatly improves the chances of patients recovery, which is the aim of being in hospital.Research shows that non smokers or those who quit smoking before and after surgery have much better wound healing and recover faster ”   
Similar initiatives have been introduced in other large hospital campuses (St Vincent’s and Connolly Hospital’s in Dublin) with positive results and, with smoking being the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the world, it is important that hospitals provide an environment committed to wellness and the prevention of illness; something to which Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar is fully committed.
As a major provider of healthcare in the region, Trevor O'Callaghan, Hospital Manager at the Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar outlined how the Hospital is taking its responsibility around health promotion and illness prevention very seriously, “Hospitals and health systems, both nationally and internationally, are working to encourage patients to adopt healthier tobacco-free lifestyles in order to decrease the incidence of smoking related disease.  Providing a smoke free environment sends a clear message that this hospital is committed to protecting and promoting the health of our patients, staff and all who visit Mullingar Hospital.
Efforts are being made to inform all patients of the new policy in advance of their admission to hospital and, when admitted, patients who smoke will be offered free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) during their hospital stay. Patients can also be referred to the Hospital’s free Smoking Cessation Service.  GPs have also been informed.  Ongoing awareness sessions have been held for staff as well as training on the use of nicotine replacement therapy.