PHIRST Fusion Evaluation of the North Yorkshire County Council Living Well Smokefree Service: a Hybrid Specialist Stop Smoking Service offering a blend of face-to-face and remote service provision (PHIRST Fusion)

PHIRST Fusion evaluation of ‘Living Well Smokefree’ a Post COVID-19 Hybrid Specialist Stop Smoking Service involving a blend of face-to face and remote service access. Background

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, to continue to support individuals wishing to quit smoking, the North Yorkshire Living Well Smokefree (LWSF) service moved to remote delivery with support being delivered in virtual formats. LWSF have seen remote delivery as having benefits (increased accessibility for rural communities), as well as challenges (difficulty in achieve/record CO validated quits).

Therefore, as Covid-19 restrictions have eased LWSF has developed a hybrid approach, combining elements of face-to-face and virtual delivery to better target different priority groups. This hybrid approach included three service delivery methods (face-to-face only, online only, and a blend of face-to-face and online).

This study aims to explore the implementation of this hybrid smoking cessation model, and to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of the different delivery methods, in order to inform future service delivery. Research question/aims & Methodology

Working with our project partners, we are in the process of employing an evaluability assessment method to develop the evaluation design and key research aims. This approach will establish the work packages of the research, and the methods most suited for addressing the key research aims. Initial considerations have been around the research exploring if the hybrid model is:

- resulting in higher quit numbers/rates for service users,

- resulting in improved access for rural communities and priority groups (e.g., routine and manual workers, pregnant smokers, people with a diagnosed mental health condition, users of drugs and/or alcohol, people with a diagnosed long-term condition, patients who smoke who have a planned admission to hospital),

- a more cost-effective approach for the LWSF service. Outputs/impact

This study is intended to inform the current and future delivery of LWSF service provision. Initial proposed outputs include a full report, a summary report of recommendations, short research/policy briefings and a lay summary of findings. We will work with local stakeholders to ensure outputs reflect their needs.