A NEW officer has been appointed at the Maelor Hospital in a bid to reduce smoking on site in Wrexham. 

A Smoke-Free Environment Officer has been introduced at Wrexham Maelor Hospital to help patients, staff and visitors keep health board sites clear of harmful tobacco smoke.

The officer will help to reduce smoking on hospital grounds by talking to people who smoke and reminding them about its smoke-free rules.

Smoking outside the Maelor has been an issue over the years, with the sight of people smoking outside the front doors branded "disgusting". 

Smoking at hospitals has been illegal since March 2021, following the introduction of new laws by the Welsh Government. Anyone found smoking at any hospital in Wales could be fined £100.

However the issue has persisted, with concerns continuing to be raised.

Health board policy also bans the use of vapes or e-cigarettes anywhere on its sites.

Now the Wrexham Maelor Hospital’s appointment has followed two other officers being recruited at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and Ysbyty Gwynedd.

Betsi have asked patients or visitors that are approached by the Smoke-Free Environment Officer to treat them with courtesy and respect. Stating that they have a difficult role and are working to protect the health and wellbeing of patients and staff.

Ian Donnelly, Director of Operations for East Integrated Health Community, said: “We want our hospitals to be healthy places, and places which promote healthy lifestyles – for our patients, for our staff and for the wider community.

“Smoking is the leading cause of avoidable illness and early death in Wales. We are committed to reducing the damage to health caused by smoking, including from exposure to harmful second-hand smoke.

“We know that many people visiting our hospitals may face difficult or challenging circumstances, so our new Smoke-Free Environment Officer will approach anyone found smoking in a friendly and compassionate way – and we also ask the same of our patients, to please respond in a respectful manner.

“I hope these new members of our team can support patients and visitors while reducing tobacco smoke at our hospitals, and making a contribution to tackling preventable disease here in North Wales.”

The officers will work closely with local authority teams – who do have the ability to issue financial penalties, and may visit hospitals to enforce the law.