A stop smoking initiative led by midwifery assistants has seen increasing numbers of pregnant women quit smoking for good.
The 12-week quit programme launched in April 2023. Just over a year on, 41 women in Hartlepool have given up the bad habit as a result.
Expectant mums are supported throughout their quit journey from the moment they register their pregnancy online. They receive dedicated support in accessing nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and advice around preventing relapse.
The programme was implemented as part of a quality improvement project by Ruth Waterman, Sue Wallace and Ali Farman – community midwifery assistants at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
The midwifery assistants provide expert advice and resources, tailored to women’s individual needs. They are supported by the trust’s tobacco dependency treatment service.
Ruth said: “One of the very best things a mum can do is protect their baby from tobacco smoke. This programme is so important in making sure babies have the healthiest start possible in life and as they grow up.
“We’ve done really, really well in our first year and our little team is so proud.
“We build up a really good rapport with our ladies because we see them quite a lot in those first few weeks. Because we support them throughout the full programme, we also get to pop out and see them with their new baby as a smoke free family. It’s a really rewarding part of our role.”
Expectant mums receive an electronic voucher which they can use at their local pharmacy to collect nicotine replacement therapy. For example, patches, gum and inhalators. Ruth, Danielle and the team worked very closely with pharmacies across Hartlepool to ensure a seamless scheme for patients.
Charlotte’s story
26-year-old Charlotte Marshall, from Hartlepool, was enrolled on the programme upon registering her third pregnancy with the trust. She was supported throughout her pregnancy by Ruth.
A heavy smoker for more than 10 years, she had tried to stop smoking during her first two pregnancies but struggled without dedicated support. Ruth discussed options available to Charlotte and some NRT products which may be suitable to her.
Charlotte began NRT and, along with weekly home visits for support, was completely smoke free by 12 weeks.
Charlotte gave birth on 13 June to a healthy little girl, Alycia, through her chosen ideal birth plan. More than two months on, she is still smoke free and encouraging others to take up the team’s support.
Ruth said: “I’m so proud of Charlotte – she did amazing and managed to achieve the birth that she wanted.
“She’s an inspiration and I hope her story touches other ladies who perhaps didn’t think they could ever stop smoking.”
Improving services for our patients
Ruth and the team received dedicated support in implementing the programme by Danielle Stephens – quality, safety and innovation lead for midwifery at the trust. It forms part of a quality improvement initiative at the organisation which ensures staff are empowered and supported to make service changes for the benefit of patients and staff.
Danielle said: “The impact Ruth and the team have had has been amazing. Smoking in pregnancy is a leading factor in poor birth outcomes and offering this support in such a personal way has seen quit rates for Hartlepool increase over the last year by over 900%.
“Quality improvement is all about giving people who are closest to the problems the skills, time and support to solve them. And Ruth and the team are an excellent example of this.
“The effect this service has had on patients and their families is evident in the feedback they have received. I’m so proud of the hard work and dedication they have shown.”
Ruth continued: “We wanted this programme to be successful and to get it off to a really good start. Danielle was amazing in supporting that.
“She was always there in the background, quite happy to let us figure out the logistics but helping us to manage and analyse the data to see if it was working out. We’re really, really proud of ourselves for this work.”
Women are also enrolled on a national incentive scheme as part of the programme. They receive shopping vouchers throughout their pregnancy. This includes a final £80 voucher if they have remained a non-smoker in the months after giving birth.