In a bid to "improve the success and quality of care for their inpatients," the North Bay Regional Health Centre is petitioning North Bay City Council to allow the smoking of tobacco on the grounds of one of its satellite properties, according to a staff report that appears on Tuesday's regular meeting agenda.
NBRHC is asking for a council resolution to amend the City of North Bay's Smoking By-law No. 2012-97 that would allow smoking within the secure gated courtyard at the property owned by the hospital at 120 King St. W. This site houses the NBRHC Safe Beds and Community Withdrawal Management Services programs.
According to the associated staff report, at the request of NBRHC, all of its properties, including its King Street Campus, were designated as smoke-free in the Smoking By-law when passed in 2012.
Ann Loyst, Vice-President, Mental Health and Addictions for NBRHC notes in the report the facility's patients attend on a voluntary basis but smokers must leave the property due to the existing by-law.
"Due to the nature of the programs, all patients require thorough searches of their person and belongings upon admission. The staffing model does not allow for these searches to be conducted each time the patient returns from a smoke break," says Loyst. "Patients are offered nicotine replacement therapy [but] attempts to limit or eliminate smoking privileges have resulted in escalating patient behaviours and unplanned discharges."
Loyst advises contraband items have been smuggled back inside the facility in relation to these off-property smoke breaks, "placing staff and patients at risk. There have also been medical incidents in the off-property smoking area, which is distant from the team station and challenging to monitor."
The gated outdoor courtyard at the King Street facility is accessed via a common area inside and is within full view of the team station, occupied by crisis workers, nurses and protective services staff.
"It is our request that by-law No.2012-97 be amended to allow for the smoking of tobacco in this outdoor courtyard. Such a change would allow our patients a safe, accessible area to utilize smoking privileges without leaving the confines of the facility, thereby reducing their access to contraband and allowing the care team to respond quickly should an incident occur," adds Loyst.
The request by NBRHC is supported by Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jim Chirico, who in discussions with Loyst's team has concluded that an exemption to the smoke-free courtyard is the safest for all. Smoking at this location is not prohibited by the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and is only currently prohibited by the City of North Bay's Smoking By-law 2012-97.
North Bay City Council convenes Tuesday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. for committee and regular meetings.
