TACKLING patients about their smoking habit while they are in local hospitals for other treatment is showing signs of success.

University Hospitals Dorset have screened 27,000 people admitted to hospital for treatment over a year with 8.3 per cent of them saying they do smoke.

Of these, 1,675 then went on to accept help to quit.

The figures were given to a pan-Dorset joint health board.

It was also told that almost 50 per cent of those eligible for an autumn Covid booster jab had received it and that figures for sexually transmitted disease and HIV continue to fall in both council areas, although the overall numbers are higher in the BCP council area, mainly because it has a younger demographic.

One of the few areas where the county is not doing so well is for those seeking treatment for opiate-based drug abuse where the BCP area has a lower level completing courses than the national average.

Consultant in public health Dr Nicky Cleave said that although there was a three per cent difference with the national rate some of those not completing a course were likely to come back again, eventually kicking the habit.

“Re-presentation is not necessarily a bad thing…it suggests that the service is approachable and welcoming,” she said, adding that while those with alcohol problems often needed treatment for a year, it could require 5-6 years for those with opiate addiction.

Drug related deaths across both council areas is also on a downward trend, at 38 in 2022, the lowest it has been since 2016.