NHS campaign encourages pregnant smokers to seek help
The NHS is encouraging pregnant smokers to get help to kick the habit.
An NHS Smokefree poll suggests that pregnant women who smoke do not seek help from their doctor because they fear being ‘judged’.
Of 224 pregnant smokers questioned, 25 per cent said they had not looked for help in case they were criticised and around 40 per cent had not admitted to their midwives or doctors that they smoked.
Smoking while pregnant can limit the amount of oxygen available to the developing foetus, and the baby is more likely to be born with a lower birth weight. Even so, women can find it difficult to stop smoking when they become pregnant.
The Government spent £6 million in 2002 creating roles for specialists to advise women on the risks of smoking during pregnancy and to help them to quit.
Lisa Fendall, one of the NHS specialist advisers in the Rotherham area of South Yorkshire, said: “We see lots of pregnant women who are worried about trying to stop smoking and feel they don't have the support or anyone to talk to about it.”
The number of ways to tackle nicotine addiction continues to grow with products such as chewing gum, patches and inhalers.
But there are alternative healthcare methods which, combined with willpower and motivation, are believed to help kick the habit.
One such treatment is acupuncture, which can help to tackle addiction. Practised in China for 3,000 to 4,000 years, acupuncture involves placing needles on the skin to stimulate nerves and muscles, targeting pain and problems in the body and brain.
Many of Westfield’s health cash plans cover the cost of acupuncture, up to set limits, when a GP or consultant recommends treatment.
In addition, Westfield’s GP telephone consultation service is offered on most plans to policyholders and their resident family members. The benefit provides telephone access to a qualified UK GP at a convenient time for the patient.
For more information on the Advantage Health Cash Plan, please visit:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/advantage/index.asp
For more information on the Good4you Health Cash Plan, please visit:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/individual-health-plans/health-cash-plan.asp
For more information on the Westfield Flex Health Cash Plan, please visit:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/flex/index.asp
For more information on this story, visit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7867664.stm
© Westfield Health Insurance 2012
- Personal Health Cover
- Health Cash Plan
- Health Insurance / Surgery Cover
- To sell
- As an employee benefit
- Corporate plans for your staff
- Westfield health insurance plans
- Advantage
- Foresight
- Westfield Flex
- Chamber Plan
- Institute of Directors Plan
- EASE
- Already have a health plan?
- My Westfield
- Cash Plan information
- Claim forms
- Fun and games
- GP Telephone Helpline
