New HSE Stop Smoking Service In Carnew Primary Care Centre.

Services are also located in Bray Integrated Care Hub, Wicklow Primary Care Centre and Arklow Primary Care Centre.

HSE Community Healthcare East has opened a new Stop Smoking Service in Carnew Primary Care Centre.  This free service, run by the Health and Wellbeing Division, is one of four stop smoking services now available to people throughout Wicklow.  Stop Smoking Services are also located in Bray Integrated Care Hub, Wicklow Primary Care Centre and Arklow Primary Care Centre.

The purpose of the service is to support people to quit smoking and stay quit. Those who attend the local Stop Smoking Service can also access free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) as part of their package of support. NRT are licensed medicines that safely give you low levels of nicotine to help with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Examples of NRT include patches, gum, lozenges and inhalers.

The team of Stop Smoking Advisors who run the service develop coping strategies and support the person to stay quit for good. In a one-to-one session, which can be in person or over the phone, the Stop Smoking Advisor will:

·Assess your nicotine addiction,

·Help you identify your reasons for quitting,

·Discuss your best options for NRT, and

·Create a personal plan to help you quit smoking for good.

If you attend the Stop Smoking Service, your local Advisor will arrange for you to access NRT through your GP or participating pharmacy. Your Advisor will keep in touch with you weekly for the first six weeks after you quit and periodically for up to 12 months to help and support you throughout your quit journey. 

Martina Queally, Chief Officer, HSE Community Healthcare East comments:

“We are delighted to add Carnew to our list of free Stop Smoking Services in the Wicklow area.  Quitting smoking is one of the best things anyone can do to improve their health.   However, we know that it is not always easy.  Having the support of Stop Smoking Advisors available close to people’s homes, coupled with access to free nicotine replacement therapy, will be of huge benefit to those who want to quit smoking in 2024.”