Hospital appoints its first ‘enforcer’

Aug 9 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

Hospital appoints its first ‘enforcer’

THE Liverpool Women’s Hospital has appointed its first patient concierge to enforce its strict no smoking policy.

Ex-soldier John Kehoe’s role as “front of house” man involves meeting and greeting patients, pointing them in the right direction, or escorting them where they want to go.

But a key part of his job is also to reinforce the hospital's no smoking policy which applies to the whole site, including the landscaped grounds.

Managers at the site say they are particularly keen to end smoking outside the hospital's main entrance, as the smell of smoke and the litter created by stubbed-out butts has marred the entrance.

As Mr Kehoe points out to those who do light up, the smoke they are creating wafts up through the windows into the main delivery suite on the first floor, where new- born babies are taking their first breaths. He said: "When most people are informed about the babies and the fact that the whole site is a no smoking area, not just the inside of the hospital, they do agree to put their cigarettes out.

“But some people are hostile, aggressive even. They have to be asked firmly but sensitively because we realise that some may be coping with distressing situations. Nevertheless, this is a hospital and the health of women and babies has to be a priority."

Mr Kehoe has already had his fair share of drama in his role as "meeter and greeter", such as coping with women who arrive at the hospital in advanced stages of labour.

He said: "The woman might actually be going into labour in the car park and her partner will run in looking for help.

“If the mother is very advanced, I can call the midwifery or ‘crash’ teams. If she needs to get to the delivery room fast, I can get her in a wheelchair and take them to where they need to go.”

The appointment of Mr Kehoe as a member of the Patient Quality Team is just one of a raft of measures which the hospital has introduced to support patients and staff who want to give up smoking.

These include hypnotherapy and acupuncture sessions and nicotine patches being made available.

Gail Holding, patient liaison manager, said: "John's appointment is all about improving patient experience.

“We provide fantastic services in a modern, clean hospital set in lovely, well-kept grounds with patients coming from all over the country and the Isle of Man.

“Having people smoking around the entrances or anywhere else on site gives out the wrong first impression. They are especially not happy about the smoke travelling up through delivery ward windows or the fact that they have to carry their new-born babies out through a smokescreen.

“Although enforcing the no smoking policy is the responsibility of all Trust staff, John's presence is definitely making a huge difference."

alanweston