Anger management

I was on BBC WM this morning talking about this:

Have your say on our proposal to create a smoke-free zone on streets near our site. Visit https://t.co/jrJRkv9Hzc pic.twitter.com/3Qx69JtoLN

— Bham Children's Hosp (@Bham_Childrens) August 3, 2016

You can listen to the (short) clip here.

I mentioned how angry some Forest supporters are at the proposal to ban smoking in nearby streets, pointing out there's no health risk to anyone else.

I also said it was outrageous that the hospital should be trying to dictate people's behaviour off site.

What I didn't say, because the interview was shorter than expected, is that having a child in hospital can be an extremely stressful experience for parents who often spend long periods in the ward.

Sometimes (as I did) they even have to sleep on the floor next to their child's bed.

Threatening parents who smoke with "security patrols" if they light up on nearby roads is not only unjustified, it's morally wrong because it's tantamount to bullying people when they are at their most vulnerable - shocking behaviour for a National 'Health' Service.

I will however include the comment in my response to the online consultation.

Please complete the form too. It only takes a moment.