Strategy: Appoint a smoking cessation coordinator
The NSW health system is complex and dynamic. Changing clinical practice requires focused and sustained effort.
Nationally and internationally, smoking cessation coordinators are used to deploy evidence-based smoking cessation systems of care across a range of clinical environments.
This is a critical element in enabling, establishing and maintaining practice change that local health districts (LHDs) may consider resourcing (either as an adjunct to an existing role or as a newly-formed role) to support the effective implementation of smoking cessation strategies.
The role of smoking cessation coordinators:
- Coordinate and lead smoking cessation strategies within services and across the LHD.
- Motivate staff within services to implement smoking cessation strategies.
- Disseminate information and education to support the integration of evidence-based smoking cessation strategies into clinical practice.
- Identify, promote and provide training.
- Act as trouble-shooting consultants to help staff adapt and implement interventions.
- Guide the collaborative development of local clinical protocols.
- Monitor, report and provide feedback on implementation progress (including in regard to key performance indicators and targets).
Networking
Link clinical staff across the LHD to the relevant smoking cessation coordinator/s. Ensure that new staff know how to get in touch with them.
Tip: Include their contact details in strategic communications on smoking cessation.
Suggested actions
Identify a position (or positions) responsible for coordinating smoking cessation implementation across the LHD. | |
Enable this position to work with individual service units to provide support that is tailored to the needs of that particular setting. | |
Undertake activities that support smoking cessation practice change, including:
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