HEALTH bosses driving forward initiatives to help more people to give up smoking have been encouraged to share good practice throughout the region.The NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney campaign helped more than 2,000 smokers to stop during the year ranking the PCT as the best in the east of England.

HEALTH bosses driving forward initiatives to help more people to give up smoking have been encouraged to share good practice throughout the region.

The NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney campaign helped more than 2,000 smokers to stop during the year ranking the PCT as the best in the east of England.

It followed an annual review meeting held earlier this summer by NHS East of England.

Feedback was extremely positive in a number of key areas, including:

Surveys showing staff feel NHS GYW is a positive place to work where job satisfaction is taken seriously.

Environmental impact, including incorporating carbon sustainability into contracts with service providers

Close working relationships with key partners and stakeholders

NHS East of England chief executive Sir Neil McKay said: 'The PCT is commended on its consistent progress through the clear demonstration of ambition, passion and performance improvement.

'These improvements are evident in the public health arena, with the over achievement of the smoking cessation target as a prime example. The SHA would like to encourage the PCT to share its good practice across the region.'

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney chief executive Dr Sushil Jathanna said: 'This highlights the enormous progress made at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney over the past 18 months and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our staff.

'It pinpoints several important areas for celebration, which is excellent news for our patients as it shows we are making progress towards delivering our goal of having the fastest improving health in England.

'However, we will not become complacent as there will always be more to do and areas where we can improve still further.'