Stop Smoking Service – Hertfordshire Health Improvement Service (HHIS)
Hertfordshire Health Improvement Service (HHIS) provides stop smoking support to anyone who lives or works in Hertfordshire. HHIS provide support to community pharmacies commissioned to provide the stop smoking services commissioned by Public Health Hertfordshire.
The stop smoking service provided by community pharmacy is commissioned by Hertfordshire County Council.
See the Service Specification for Stop Smoking Service (April 2023 – March 2024)
Please note a number of changes to the above specification will will come into effect with the contract extension commencing 1 April 2023 and ceasing 31 March 2024 outlined below:
- The delivery of stop smoking services will continue under the current contract.
- Latest information relating to the availability of prescribed medications, Varenicline and Zyban will be highlighted in the contract extension.
You can now book on to one of Hertfordshire Health improvement Services (HHIS) Courses for the following:
- Level 2 Stop Smoking Training
- Level 2 Refresher Stop Smoking Training (to be completed at least manually)
View the Training Dates (2023/2024)
Just to reiterate we do not foresee that this pilot will have a direct impact on other stop smoking service provision, but instead will enhance the current offer, providing an alternative choice to those wishing to quit smoking in a way that’s right for them, be it through NRT or vaping. Some key similarities / differences between providers of stop smoking services are highlighted below: *Clients can have either NRT or vape – unable to access both at the same time at present. For commissioned services, please ensure that smokers are not already accessing a stop smoking service when they come to your service. If your pharmacy is not providing a stop smoking service, please refer to Hertfordshire Stop smoking Service. More information is at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/stopsmoking and a referral form is also attached.
You may have seen communications regarding the mobilising of a new and free stop smoking provision, by commissioning Vape retail shops in Hertfordshire to support adult smokers to stop smoking tobacco. We are now pleased to confirm that some of the vape shops are set up to start service delivery with the hope to have the shops operational by the end of November 2023
Clients
Behavioural Support
Face-to-face / Telephone
Nicotine Replacement Therapy for prescription fee
Free Vape
Vape Shops
(Pilot: starting Oct / Nov 2023)18+
YES
Face-to-face (if consultation room) / telephone
NO (client needs to purchase NRT)
YES
GP / Pharmacies
12+
YES
Face-to-face / telephone
YES
NO (client needs to purchase vape)
Maternity*
Pregnant. (Includes incentive scheme)
YES
Face-to-face / telephone
YES
YES
Hertfordshire Health Improvement Service*
12+ & pregnant
YES
Telephone
YES
YES
Healthy Hubs
12+
YES
Face-to-face / telephone
YES
NO
Stop Smoking advisors are now advised to inform clients within consultations that there are stock shortages with certain NRT products and therefore a possibility that alternative products may be offered by the pharmacist after having a discussion with the client.
HHIS support pharmacies to offer an alternative equivalent product to the client should they wish to use an alternative. This can be processed on PharmOutcomes where pharmacists will be able to see the requested product as normal but will be able to issue the alternative product when completing the NRT supplied field.
Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, it’s never too late to quit smoking. Many people try to quit smoking with willpower alone but there are lots of different support options and tools available, so you can find the right way to quit for you. The free NHS Quit Smoking app allows you to:
- Track your progress
- See how much you are saving
- Get daily support
- Keep on top of our craving
- Nominate a Quit Buddy
Download the app and find out what happens to your body when you quit at: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
With the expert help offered by a free local Stop Smoking Service you’re three times as likely to quit for good. Find your nearest local Stop Smoking Service at: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/stopsmoking
Pharmacies in Hertfordshire contracted to provide Stop Smoking service to view a map of these pharmacies please click here.
HHIS are proud to announce their Very Brief Advice, Brief Advice and Motivational Interviewing courses are now available.
Attached you will find the course outline and learning outcomes document that allows you to see which course you feel is most suitable for your role alongside the duration of the course and what you will be able to feel more confident in having attended.
Very Brief Advice (VBA) is used for 0-30 second conversations to allow you to start an initial conversation to support an individual with their health inequality.
Brief Advice (BA) takes VBA further, with additional key conversation methods to support and empower individuals to make the change.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) training will support you to empower clients with conversations you will already be having to restart, or continue to make the positive change to a healthier lifestyle, using core skills from the MI framework.
HHIS would also like to take this opportunity to promote the courses HHIS currently have available for Level 2 Stop Smoking training, Level 2 Update Stop Smoking training and our three MECC packages of MECC Lite, MECC and MECC Plus. Please find attached the course details and training dates for you to book on to:
- MECC and SS courses – outlines and learning outcomes v2
- VBA-BA-MI courses – outlines and learning outcomes v1
- Training Dates 2023-24 MI & BA
- Training Dates 2023-24 MECC
Please contact HHIS for training dates and further information by phone 01442 453 071 or by email HealthImprovementService@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Due to the ongoing difficulty with supplies of bupropion (Zyban) and Varenicline (Champix), Hertfordshire Health Improvement Service are temporarily extending funding for dual Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), as appropriate, to all smokers accessing commissioned Stop Smoking Services across Hertfordshire from April onwards. Please continue to issue single/dual therapy until further instructed.
Full information can be found in the NRT Voucher Protocol. To view the NRT voucher accreditation process please click here.
Please view the updated NRT voucher processing information (last update 13.10.22)
If you would like to sign up or have any service queries please contact Hertfordshire Health Improvement Service on 01442 453071 or email HealthImprovementService@hertfordshire.gov.uk. If you are already commissioned for the service you can also contact your Health Improvement Locality Specialist.
East & North Herts – Sharon O’Connor: 01438 844733 sharon.oconnor@hertfordshire.gov.uk
West Herts (Herts Valleys) – Lauren Arthur: 01438 845924 lauren.arthur@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Following the Medicine Supply Notification (MSN/2022/100) issued on 1st December, 2022 that bupropion (Zyban) will be out of stock until further notice. Please see the following guidance on managing clients who wish to use this medication, or are currently using this medication, to stop smoking.
Pfizer stopped distribution of Champix (Varenicline) in June 2021 due to the presence of nitrosamine impurities above Pfizer’s acceptable level of daily intake in several lots. A letter to pharmacists from Hertfordshire County Council Public Health department has been distributed. Read content in full here.
Please note all payments for Public Health services are automated and paid quarterly by Quit Manager and PharmOutcomes.
All activity must be recorded using these systems to ensure payment is made before the end of each quarter. It is advised to input direct into the PharmOutcomes database while delivering the public health services. If the provider does not have an internet device within the consultation room it is recommended that the data is transferred on to the database as soon as possible but must upload data within 10 days of the consultation in order to secure payment. No payments will be made via paper claims.
PharmOutcomes Invoicing Procedures
For community pharmacy service providers, 3 items are claimable:
- Successful 4 week quits
- NRT provided to clients accessing internal L2 service
- NRT provided as part of the NRT e-voucher processing template
You can preview your claims at any time to date by clicking on ‘Claims’ tab and then clicking on ‘Preview Claims’ button on the bottom left hand side. This action will pop up a window underneath the ‘Preview Claims’ button which you can click on when it becomes green. When you click on it your invoice will open and you can see all payments in different lines according to services you are entitled to claim for.
HHIS will only be able to provide and administer CO monitor enquires after submission of a CO monitor task request form.
Please contact HHIS for CO Monitor Request form on telephone: 01442 453071.