21.1 Background
(i) Effective management of smoking is of prime importance as smoking still accounts for a large proportion of accidental fires.
(i) However, it is important that staff do not become over-zealous in "policing" any "no smoking" guidance with residents.
(ii) It is the responsibility of the provider/manager and staff to take reasonable measures to reduce the risk residents may place themselves in from smoking, without placing unnecessary restrictions on individuals or, indeed, infringing their civil rights. Residents should not be forbidden from smoking unless that is the clear written policy of the home at the point of admission.
(iii) Where residents wish to smoke, this should be included in the care plan, incorporated into the fire risk assessment and families made aware of their contents. They should include the name of the smoker, whether he or she needs supervision whilst smoking and when a review is required or has taken place.
21.2 Communal Areas
(i) Designated communal smoking areas should be identified where residents are able to smoke and where staff can supervise, if required, discreetly.
(ii) Designated smoking areas will under no circumstances be permitted in any escape routes.
21.3 Bedrooms
Residents should always be discouraged from smoking in their bedrooms. The response time to an emergency is slower when people have been asleep, even with the use of smoke detectors. Staff should do everything possible to avoid residents smoking in their bedrooms, however where the individual is adamant then the following information offers guidance:
Further Action
Where further action is required it must be undertaken with:-
(i) Approval of resident
If the resident is placing him/herself, and potentially other residents, in danger by smoking, this should be discussed with the resident and a mutually agreeable solution sought. This should be recorded on the resident’s case file/care plan.
(ii) Proof available
Where a resident does not recognize the danger he/she is placing him/herself in by smoking or chooses not to take preventative action, justification must be recorded for any restrictive action which may be considered, e.g.:-
(a) A milti-agency decision should be made regarding the resident's capability to accept responsibility for his/her smoking; and
(b) A record must be maintained of all steps and the result thereof, prior to any restrictive action taken, this should be recorded in the individuals care plan.
21.5 Staff Smoking
With regards to staff smoking, it is up to the provider to decide on a smoking policy. If smoking is permitted, this should be in a designated area.
|
|
|
|