A new initiative aimed at supporting patients to quit smoking during their Emergency Department (ED) visit is set to launch soon at Darent Valley Hospital as part of a national NHS programme. The pilot project, known as CoSTED (Cessation of Smoking in the Emergency Department), will bring dedicated smoking cessation advisers directly into the ED to provide advice, support, and access to nicotine replacement therapy.
The CoSTED pilot represents a collaboration between Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, Kent County Council (KCC), and their commissioned provider, Everyone Health, who will deliver the service on site. The project has been developed locally under the leadership of Dr Rucha Phutane, Consultant Emergency Medicine,, who has spearheaded the collaboration on behalf of the Trust. It has been supported internally by the Trust’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tom Clark, and the Emergency Department leadership team.
Under the new model, specially trained advisers from Everyone Health will work within the ED to independently identify patients who smoke. They will approach eligible adults sensitively, offer immediate smoking cessation advice, and provide access to nicotine replacement therapy and ongoing support. Importantly, this approach ensures that ED clinicians will not need to make referrals, helping the service run smoothly alongside existing clinical care.
Originally scheduled to launch on 6th October, the pilot has experienced a short delay while internal processes regarding follow-up with the Tobacco Dependency Service are finalised. Once live, the 12-month pilot will be carefully evaluated to assess its impact on patient outcomes and service delivery.
The key aims of the CoSTED pilot are to:
• Use the ED visit as a “teachable moment” to motivate patients to quit smoking
• Improve long-term health outcomes by reducing smoking-related illness
• Strengthen local prevention efforts through collaboration between the Trust and Kent County Council
The CoSTED pilot underpins our commitment to working towards one of our strategic priorities, Healthy Local People and we look forward to seeing the results of this initiative.