Smokers face ban in hospital grounds

Patients and visitors could soon be banned from lighting up cigarettes in the grounds of Kidderminster Hospital under controversial new proposals.

The smoking ban is being put forward despite almost half of people surveyed being against the move.

Forty-six per cent of hospital visitors said they did not welcome the plans. But the majority of doctors and nurses are in favour and feedback showed 79 per cent want smoking outside the hospital stubbed out.

Health bosses say a ban could also be introduced at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

In July 2007, the nationwide smoking ban came into force making it illegal for people to smoke in public places including hospitals.

Smoking shelters were created at Kidderminster hospital for staff and visitors to use, but the new proposals could see the site in Bewdley Road get a blanket ban.

A survey was carried out by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust among 187 members of the public and 134 staff to see whether they would agree to a complete ban.

Bosses are now planning further talks with patients and staff before drawing up detailed proposals on how a ban might work.