The United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (ULTH) team recently marked a milestone of more than 270 smokefree babies born due to their support, since the formation of the team in 2022.
The five members of the Lincolnshire STAAR team are trained smoking cessation practitioners who are passionate about helping patients to quit smoking tobacco, to give mothers, babies and families the best outcomes in pregnancy and a smoke free future.
There are many dangers of smoking during pregnancy such as an increased risk of premature birth, still birth, heart defects and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This is why the STAAR team contact mums-to-be from the very beginning of their pregnancy journey, with information and advice on how to stop smoking. Once women register their pregnancy in Lincolnshire and mention they smoke, the STAAR team is notified and swing into action, contacting patients.
The team see mums-to-be regularly, at local venues to suit the pregnant women and even help with incentives to quit, such signposting to the National Smoke-free Pregnancy Incentive Scheme, where they can claim up to £400.
Gillian Walker, Tobacco Dependency Specialist Midwife who leads the team, said: “I am so passionate about helping pregnant women and close family members to stop smoking for the health benefits to their unborn child and the rest of the family.
“There are so many dangers and risks associated with smoking, especially during pregnancy, that we work hard to support people to quit smoking and help create a smoke free home for newborns.
“We are delighted by the success of our service in reducing the number of women smoking at the time of delivery prior to 2022 from 22% to 5.2% by January 2026.”
In addition, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, send ‘You Did It’ cards to all expectant mothers who achieve a smoke free status at 36 weeks pregnant.
A patient who benefited from the STAAR team support said: “They gave me so much support as a smoker of over 11 years. I never thought it was possible, but the team gave me the strength I needed to stop smoking. Personally, I found it pretty easy most of the time with the help from STAAR.”
For more information about the service please see the ULTH webpage on Maternity Tobacco Dependence Service.