Published on: 27th August 2021
A local man has improved his health, energy levels and saved £600, after quitting smoking with help from NHS services.
Christopher Rusholme, 49, from Ashton-under-Lyne, has early onset vascular dementia. He quit smoking thanks to the help and support from our Be Well Tameside service and Tameside Hospital.
Christopher said: “I had a short stay in Tameside Hospital, due to suffering from a slipped disc, where I also received some support to quit smoking.
“They then referred me to Be Well Tameside because I had almost run out of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches. I was assigned to Matthew, one of their advisors and he has since supported me to quit smoking.”
He confessed that smoking had made him lazy, left him with no energy, he couldn’t sleep and he smelt. He added: “My fingers were dirty and I didn’t feel right. I felt like a waster as I was investing my time in smoking. It was costing me £20 a day!
“My twin brother was always on my case and he always felt that I smoked due to my illness.”
Christopher found having a general chat, friendly good advice from Be Well really helped him. He also received thorough support with prescriptions, communication and listening. He looked forward to his calls from Matthew to give him the boost and encouragement he needed to get his prescription and to stay in touch.
He continued: “I booked a holiday to Ribby Hall with my wife using the £600 I saved from quitting smoking. It was our first holiday in three years. I’m now saving for another big holiday next year for all the family with the money I’ve recently saved.
“My twin bro is so proud and pleased, he was always on at me to quit due to my condition.
“My heart condition will improve now. It is also helping with my dementia. I feel less confused and I’m more alert due to my heart rate going down, I think. I can now focus.”
Since quitting smoking Christopher has more energy and feels himself again. The main thing he has noticed is his sleep has improved – he’s now getting a good night’s sleep.
Lobna Begum-Haris, specialist stop smoking lead with Be Well Tameside, said: “We hope Christopher’s story inspires others who live or work in Tameside to contact us for help.
“It’s never too late to quit smoking or to start improving your health, and you’re three times more likely to quit with specialist support.”
Be Well Tameside offer for support to people who live, work or have a GP in Tameside:
Or for free access to local support elsewhere in Greater Manchester, visit: makesmokinghistory.co.uk or call the NHS Stop Smoking helpline free on 0300 123 1044.
