Published on: 4th October 2021
Our Be Well Tameside service has helped a man to quit smoking after 55 years, following a serious health scare.
Paul Daley, 70, from Hattersley, had suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and smoked approximately 8 roll-ups a day – but was smoking up to 20 cigarettes a day last year.
Paul said: “I did manage to go 4 weeks without a cigarette however, during lockdown I started smoking again.”
In May 2021, he had a serious health scare and was taken to A&E at Tameside General Hospital with severe breathing difficulties and suspected COPD.
He continued: “I went to A&E as I could not breathe and thought that I was dying. I was frightened to death to lie down as it felt like I was drowning in this position. I had to sit up all the time even when I tried to sleep, it was a terrifying experience.”
“After I came home from hospital, the CURE (Tameside addiction service) team nurse referred me to Be Well Tameside for further support. At this point my attitude was different; I knew if I continued to smoke I could die.”
One of the first things he remembers being asked by Mags Fitzgerald, his Be Well Tameside Advisor, was why he wanted to stop smoking.
He added: “It was the way I was asked that made a difference. Mags gave me time to think about why I wanted to stop but also why I smoked. I received fortnightly phone calls from her and looked forward to the catch ups. I did not feel rushed or pressured. I was frightened that I may have had cancer and knew that I needed to stop smoking.
“She did not dictate to me or make me feel guilty about smoking, as others have done in the past, she just listened and then said that the biggest strength comes from wanting to stop smoking.
“She was right, no matter who tells you that you should stop and why, if you are not ready, you won’t achieve it. I found her attitude and knowledge great - she explained things differently, in a way that I understood - no jargon! Her motivational skills were excellent and that’s what helped me stop.
“I don’t miss the cigarettes anymore; previously I’d liked to have a cigarette after food but now I’m ok. My food tastes better and my tongue is not brown anymore. Last but not least, I no longer get earache from the Mrs to stop smoking!”
The products Paul chose were nicotine replacement treatment patches and Quick mist spray, these helped keep his cravings away. He now only uses his Ventolin when needed and is delighted that he no longer smokes and has recently been for a lung health check at British Gas and does not have COPD.
Anyone living, working, staying in hospital, or with a GP in Tameside can access free support to quit smoking from Be Well Tameside, run by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Be Well Tameside offer one-to-one support to help people make healthier lifestyle changes, by provide regular contact, practical tips, information on local groups, and access to other local services. Phone: 0161 716 2000 or email: bewelltameside@nhs.net.
Smokers can also join the thousands of others and start their quitting journey this October using the available Stoptober tools, apps and resources by searching ‘Stoptober’.
Lobna Begum-Haris, specialist stop smoking lead with Be Well Tameside, said: “Paul’s success shows that if you don’t give up giving up and with the support from a trained Health and Wellbeing Advisor, you are more likely to succeed in fully quitting for good! We hope Paul’s story inspires others who live or work in Tameside to contact us for support.
For more helpful information on stopping smoking visit: https://www.tameside.gov.uk/StopSmoking