It has been 10 years since smoking was banned inside public buildings, leading to the creation of other initiatives such as campaigns to stop people smoking in children’s playgrounds and sports venues. The NHS have pledged to ban smoking on all hospital sites by 2020 as part of its commitment to improving the nation’s health – and we need your help to understand what our local hospitals and care settings can do to improve smokefree environments on these sites. This discussion group will give you an opportunity to share your experiences, and to provide ideas for how we can support visitors, patients and staff in making hospitals a place where entirely smokefree grounds are normal, and smokers receive effective support to help them quit.
We would like to meet a range of smokers and non-smokers in a range of ages and ethnicities, who have recently (within the last 12 months) visited a hospital as a patient, visitor or member of staff.
We would like to hold a discussion group on Friday 14th July.
The discussion group will start at 10.30pm and finish at 1pm. Tea/Coffee will be provided.
We appreciate your time and expertise and are happy to offer you a ‘thank you’ of £75* (see note at the bottom of the page) to cover your transport and any other out of pocket expenses.
If you would like to participate in this discussion group I would be grateful if you could contact Karen Carr, Public Involvement Coordinator, and let her know if
Email: karen.carr@phe.gov.uk
Tel or text: 07827 308525 (Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Post: PHE East of England, West Wing, Victoria House, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge, CB21 5XA
Yours sincerely
Amy Burgess
Public Involvement Manager
*New guidance on payments for public participation
PHE has been advised by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that we must now process payments for attendance at discussion groups through PHE’s payroll with income tax deducted at source under the ‘pay as you earn’ (PAYE) system. In order to comply with HMRC requirements, PHE will need to implement this ruling with immediate effect.
The amount payable for attendance will now be £93.75 which, after deduction of basic rate tax, equates to a net payment of £75. Due to the extensive administration burden for PHE in setting individuals up on the payroll, claims will be paid within 3 months of the meeting.
If you are a higher rate taxpayer or submit a tax return to HMRC, then you will need to declare this amount as earnings to HMRC. You may also wish to verify with your local HMRC office that this payment will not have a detrimental effect on any benefits to which you may be entitled.