We have been made aware that some patients are being advised by the Leeds Stop Smoking service to request a prescription for nicotine replacement and/or medication such as varenicline from their GP. 

Established best practice is for a dedicated smoking cessation service to provide a full programme of ongoing carbon monoxide monitoring, behavioural support and relapse prevention therapy alongside prescription medication after a thorough assessment of each Patient. There is currently a commissioning gap in Leeds where neither the Stop Smoking Service or GPs are comissioned to carry out this full programme. 

GPs currently have no means of providing the necessary ongoing support and monitoring to patients trying to quit smoking, therefore we cannot prescribe these medications safely and effectively. We hope that future arrangements will be made so patients can access the full range of treatments. 

In the meantime, Patients can still access a wide range of support from the Stop Smoking Service including carbon monoxide breath tests, a course of free nicotine replacement, free vapes supplies, access to support communities and regular check ins with a Health Coach. 

Thank you for your understanding.

We receive frequent requests from parents asking us to provide their child with a toilet pass. We consider access to safe, timely, and appropriate personal hygiene to be essential to human dignity. Therefore, we have created a printable Toilet Pass that parents can download, print, and provide directly to their child’s school free of charge. Please find the printable pass below.

Toilet pass letter - downloadable