While many were celebrating the New Year, a dedicated NHS team in Greater Manchester was marking a monumental achievement of its own. The Stockport NHS Foundation Trust CURE team has now saved an estimated 300 lives since its launch five years ago, a milestone revealed through new national analysis.
A Landmark Achievement in Public Health
The impressive figures are derived from research behind the Tobacco Dependence Treatment Services Impact Calculator, developed by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). This tool shows that for every 1,000 patients seen by a specialist stop smoking team, approximately 60 lives are saved.
Given that the Stockport CURE team has supported over 5,000 patients since it began its work in 2020, the projected number of lives saved reaches the significant 300 mark. Furthermore, the team's actions in the last year alone are estimated to have prevented 113 hospital re-admissions, easing pressure on vital NHS services.
How the CURE Team Makes a Difference
The CURE team is Stockport's local branch of the wider Greater Manchester Treating Tobacco Dependency (TTD) programme. Its mission is clear: to ensure that every active smoker admitted to Stepping Hill Hospital is immediately offered expert support to quit.
This support includes access to specialist advisors from the stop smoking service, combined with nicotine replacement therapy and other necessary medications. Crucially, this lifeline continues not just during the patient's hospital stay but also after they are discharged, providing a continuous pathway to a smoke-free life.
"The Single Greatest Cause of Preventable Death"
Natasha Gilraine, a CURE Associate Respiratory Nurse Specialist, emphasised the profound impact of the team's work. "Tobacco is the single greatest cause of preventable death, disability, illness and social inequality in both the local area and the world," she stated.
"In helping people to give up smoking we can make a real impact on improving our local population’s health. The whole team are both delighted and proud to reflect on the number of lives saved, and we look forward to continuing to do so."
The team's success story offers powerful inspiration, particularly in January when many people resolve to quit. For those seeking help, the CURE project provides local specialist support, while broader free advice and resources are available via the national Makes Smoking History campaign.
