Implementation and impact of NHS-funded tobacco dependence services in England: a mixed-method evaluation protocol

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Health Policy

Background:

• Tobacco smoking is a major cause of preventable illness, premature death, and health disparities.
• A comprehensive tobacco dependence service is being implemented across NHS settings in England.
• This service targets all hospital inpatients, and women and pregnant individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the protocol for a national evaluation of the implemented tobacco dependence service in England.
• To assess the implementation, routinisation, usefulness, and impact of the service.
• To determine the service's impact on health outcomes and its financial implications.

Main Methods:

• A national evaluation across five English regions and 11 NHS Foundation Trusts from September 2021 to September 2025.
• Utilizes qualitative interviews (key informants, practitioners, smokers) and online surveys.
• Employs descriptive statistics for routinely collected data on service uptake, health outcomes, and economic impact.

Main Results:

• The evaluation protocol involves multiple work packages assessing implementation context, service routinisation, staff attitudes, and patient experiences.
• Data analysis includes Thematic Analysis, Framework Analysis, and descriptive statistics.
• Routinely collected data will be used to assess service uptake, health and care outcomes, and economic impact.

Conclusions:

• The evaluation protocol is designed to comprehensively assess a national tobacco dependence service.
• Findings will provide insights into the service's effectiveness, efficiency, and impact on smoking cessation.
• The study aims to inform future strategies for tobacco dependence treatment within healthcare systems to reduce health inequalities.