Developing practice with health and social care professionals on smoking and pregnancy in Northern Ireland

Abstract

This paper describes Phases One and Two of a project on smoking, cessation in pregnancy: the process of reaching consensus and developing feasible, evi dence-based guidelines. Phase Three of the project is piloting the guidelines, and Phase Four is ascertaining how women feel about use of the guidelines. The framework of nine key points is for use by any health and social care professional, and is being piloted in one health and social services board area in Northern Ireland. It is envisaged that the impact of the framework will be complemented by local policy, and education and training on holistic approaches for professionals.