I do my best to improve people's health

NHS worker Arlene Tait (28), based at Dunbar Hospital, in Thurso talks about her job as a health improvement adviser.

Q: Presumably, a health improvement adviser is what it says on the tin. Is it?

A: It sums up the job well. I support people in making lifestyle choices that will positively contribute to their health and wellbeing.

There are two main strands to my work. Part of it involves the Keep Well project, which is designed to reduce health inequalities by offering health checks to people aged from 40-64.

These cover things like blood pressure, weight, body mass index, alcohol and mental wellbeing. The other, and main, part of my job is for the Smoke Free Service.

Q: How did you get into your line of work?

A: I had always wanted to work in the NHS. When I left school I went to the University of Paisley (now the University of the West of Scotland) to take a joint honours degree in psychology and biology.

After I graduated in 2006 I came back to my home village of Lybster and got a job in administration in the NHS. In November 2009 I got a job as a health improvement adviser and completed a graduate certificate in health promotion.

I love the job and I am currently studying for a master’s degree in public health with Glasgow Caledonian University. Working full-time and studying at the same time is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

Q: What does working with the Smoke Free Service involve?

A: I work across Caithness and north-west Sutherland supporting and encouraging people to quit smoking or reduce the amount they smoke. Every day is different.

I support people mainly on a one-to-one basis in GP surgeries, Caithness General Hospital in Wick and Dunbar Hospital in Thurso.

I occasionally do group work and have done some work in schools and workplaces. I sometimes even visit people at home if they have mobility problems.

Q: How do you persuade people to stop smoking? It’s a pretty addictive habit.

A: Stopping smoking can be a very hard thing to do but it is achievable.

People are four times more likely to succeed if they use nicotine replacement therapy and have behavioural support.

I wouldn’t say my job is to persuade people to stop smoking. Most of the people I see self-refer and so already want to quit for a variety of reasons.

Sometimes it’s about health but more frequently these days it’s about money – a packet of cigarettes costs around £7 and smoking is no longer affordable.

My role is to support and encourage my clients. I encourage people to keep a smoking diary; it’s a great way of monitoring your progress. As they start to reduce the amount they smoke they can see the benefits, which encourages them to continue their efforts.

I’m never judgemental. After all, I’m there to help. I help people to achieve their goals they set for themselves.

During my smoking free work I also highlight the risks of second-hand smoke and promote the national smoke free homes and cars project, which encourages people to smoke outdoors where possible to protect families’ health.

I also screen for alcohol consumption and conduct brief interventions if people are drinking above the recommended safe limits.

Q: Who are your clients?

A: As I said, most of them self-refer but others are referred to me by other health professionals, such as GPs and midwives.

My youngest client so far was a 12-year-old girl who took up smoking at high school because she thought it was cool. My oldest was 92.

We are measured on our success once a month, every three months and every year. The latest success rate was 42% of clients remained off cigarettes one month after quitting.

I think that’s pretty good – but we’ve a way to go. Our message to people who quit smoking and then start again is not to give up.

People who fail the first time are more likely to come back to us. If at first you don’t succeed…

Q: The number of smokers in Scotland is falling year by year, so how big a health problem is it now?

A: It’s still a massive problem. Around 13,500 people die prematurely in Scotland every year because of smoking – these are entirely preventable deaths.

This makes smoking the single most important preventable cause of premature death and ill health in the country.

Around 24% of Scotland’s population smoke. Thankfully, the figure is falling by around one per cent a year.

Q: Tell us about your home life?

A: I got married last May. My husband, Michael, who is a local man, works offshore. We live in Thurso, surrounded by family and friends.

I love it in Caithness; it’s my home, after all. I remember when I was younger I couldn’t wait to get away and was drawn to Glasgow, with all its big-city attractions.

I can’t imagine ever going back to the city. I don’t have much spare time between work and study but I do try to keep fit and go to an aquafit class at the pool in Thurso twice a week. I’ve also been known to do a bit of running.

Q: Finally, you don’t smoke, do you?

A: Er, no.