Review of NHS smoking cessation services: advisory group report

As a key action in the Scottish Government’s tobacco control strategy – Creating a Tobacco-Free Scotland – NHS Health Scotland was asked to review specialist smoking cessation services in Scotland. An advisory group chaired by Professor Linda Bauld was convened for the review, and research was commissioned by NHS Health Scotland from Ipsos MORI Scotland (IM) to examine a number of key aspects of current service configuration and delivery.

The IM report selected five NHS Boards for case study research. Interviews were conducted with key stakeholders and focus groups or paired depth interviews conducted with smoking cessation advisers. The research, which took place in 2013, also involved an online survey of NHS staff (smoking cessation advisers, coordinators, and other operational staff) to identify training needs.

The IM research was able to draw on findings from a secondary analysis of routine monitoring data collected by cessation services in Scotland. This was funded by The Scottish School of Public Health and carried out by Information Services Division (ISD, part of NHSScotland) in collaboration with researchers from the Universities of Stirling and Bath.

The Smoking Cessation Services Review Advisory Group have written a summary report which is largely, but not exclusively, derived from these two separate studies outlined above. This report suggests actions to improve the effectiveness of smoking cessation services under three headings:

• reducing variation in outcomes and improving consistency between services.
• increasing reach and success, particularly with priority groups.
• improving processes within services and training for staff.

It also includes a number of recommendations for consideration by Scottish Government and implementation by NHS Health Boards.