New stop smoking service for Coast

New stop smoking service for Coast

The Ministry of Health has offered a contract to Community and Public Health to deliver the new West Coast Stop Smoking Service replacing the existing Aukati KaiPaipa service for Maori.

West Coast Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton says the team is pleased to be working with Healthy West Coast Alliance partners to provide a new smoking cessation model to meet the needs of all smokers in the West Coast District.

“The new service provides an opportunity to have a more integrated, coordinated and cohesive stop smoking service for the West Coast. The model has a patient-centred approach aimed to get the best cessation outcomes for the individual,” Dr Brunton says.

Key partners are Poutini Waiora, West Coast DHB and the West Coast PHO, all members of the Healthy West Coast governance group.

Dr Brunton says the new service is more flexible, aimed at meeting individual needs and circumstances and recognising that not one size fits all. The free service will include free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), along with a mixture of face-to-face and other support such as group sessions.

The new Stop Smoking Service will be available for all people who want help to quit but with a priority on increased access for Maori, Pacific and pregnant women.

Other West Coast services which offer smoking cessation advice are continuing.

For referrals and more information, please contact 0800 456 121.

ENDS

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