The Derbyshire Times has published my response to the suggestion that smoking be banned across the entire site at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
What's interesting is the reaction of the hospital's Twitter account.
On Saturday night, in response to a tweet that included a link to my previous post, @royalhospital tweeted:
So we should support a habit that causes cancer then? And allow patients to breathe in others' smoke?
Bearing in mind the hospital is currently consulting on the issue and has, allegedly, yet to make a decision, it seemed a little inappropriate.
Anyway it led to the following exchange:
@Forest_Smoking: Appalling response. Show some empathy for patients who smoke. Plus, no evidence of harm to others from smoking outside.
@royalhospital: personal responsibility 4where Usmoke - not where it affects others. Patients/visitors in distress supported #ProudtoCare
@Forest_Smoking: Smoking outside away from hospital entrances doesn't affect anyone. Do you have objective evidence that suggests otherwise?
Needless to say there was no response to this simple question. Later, however, after we suggested the tone of the hospital's tweets implied a decision to ban smoking across the site had already been made, we got this reply:
@royalhospital: definitely NOT made - survey will enable Board to make decision about new policy. 1897 views2 consider 1st - For & against
There were several more tweets I haven't posted here and the issue was given a further lease of life yesterday when the Derbyshire Times tweeted a link to my article, provoking several more comments from people for and against a ban.
Thankfully none of them were posted by @royalhospital which would do well to adopt a less partial position while the 'consultation' is ongoing.
I'm grateful nevertheless to Twitter for once again shining a light on the minds of those who work in public health.
To say they lack empathy for people who smoke is an understatement.
As for their ignorance of what constitutes a risk to public health - well, I'll leave that for another day.