Health and wellbeing
Walsall’s Emergency Department stop smoking pathway reaches 900 referrals in first year
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More than 900 patients have been referred to specialist stop smoking support through Walsall Manor Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) Smoking Cessation Pathway during its first year.
The pathway launched in July 2025 through a partnership between Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and Walsall Council Public Health, building on an earlier milestone of 500 referrals achieved within its first six months.
The achievement was celebrated at a special anniversary event held in the main ED reception waiting area at Walsall Manor Hospital on Thursday 23 July 2026, where members of the Trust's Tobacco Dependency Team were joined by community stop smoking providers and representatives from Walsall Council Public Health.
The event showcased the success of the pathway. Patients, staff and visitors had the opportunity to speak with healthcare professionals and stop smoking specialists, access resources on the harms of smoking, learn about effective quitting methods and receive information about local support services. On-the-spot referrals were also available for those ready to take the first step towards becoming smoke-free.
The ED Smoking Cessation Pathway was introduced to ensure patients attending the Emergency Department, as well as those accompanying them, are offered evidence-based stop smoking advice and a direct referral to a local stop smoking service.
It was developed in response to growing evidence showing that emergency departments can be effective settings for helping people to quit smoking.
“ Reaching more than 900 referrals in the pathway’s first year is a significant milestone and shows the positive impact this partnership is having on the health of our residents. Every person who accesses support has the opportunity to make a life-changing decision to quit smoking, and we are proud to be working with our NHS and community partners to make that support more accessible than ever. “
“ Since launching the ED pathway 12 months ago, we have had more than 17,000 interactions with people about smoking, identified more than 1,700 people who smoke and made more than 900 referrals to stop smoking services. We are very proud of our first-year outcomes.
Working together with Walsall Council Public Health, we are helping people access the tools and advice they need to quit smoking. This is a huge milestone for us and our partners, helping more people in Walsall and beyond take positive steps towards a smoke-free future. “
Residents who want to stop smoking can access a range of free support services in Walsall.
These include Be Well Walsall's face-to-face, telephone and online support; Quit with Bella, which combines digital coaching with adviser support and up to 12 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy or vapes; specialist Stop Smoking in Pregnancy support; the Trust's Tobacco Dependency Service for hospital inpatients; the Emergency Department Smoking Cessation Service; and dedicated support for mental health inpatients through Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Anyone interested in quitting can speak to a healthcare professional or contact a local stop smoking service to find the support option that works best for them.
For more information about stop smoking support available in Walsall, visit the Be Well Walsall website, contact Quit with Bella on 0800 772 3872, or speak to your GP, pharmacist or healthcare professional.
