"Smoking!"

My visit to Cardio & Respiratory last week was as expected and the staff are very caring, understanding and supportive.

My issue was on leaving the hospital.

I was waiting outside for my relative to pick me up (even though they couldn’t even get in a space in the pick up area) and a guy came next to me and lit up a cigarette. I turned to look at him and walked away to another space which I shouldn’t have to do as there is a designated smoking shelter not 20yds away for smokers. The guy then shouted across to me asking what my problem was! I explained he could have found an open space to which he said it was. Obviously not if he was stood at the side of me. I have asthma and other more serious respiratory/heart issues at the moment and should not have to be challenged or confronted about him smoking somewhere he shouldn’t be. Then another guy at the side of him who was nothing to do with him had a go at me saying he doesn’t smoke but he doesn’t have a problem with it. Really?! It was nothing to do with him and shouldn’t have got involved. People outside were looking at me which was embarrassing and very upsetting. All the time I was being confronted there were numerous tannoy announcements saying not to smoke and people are having cancer treatment right now etc. whilst there were quite a few smokers around me. They just didn’t seem to care and ignored all the warnings. Why am I being confronted in that way? Why is nobody doing anything about the smoking problems? Why are security just turning a blind eye?! As a visitor with health issues I was told by the second guy to ‘get a life’ which is totally unacceptable given we were at a hospital. No-one should assume they aren’t affecting others and project their addictions onto non smokers, and should have more consideration. I was left mentally processing my actual appointment procedure, along with taking abuse from someone I don't even know when they were the ones in the wrong which left me a bit shaken. Come on Pinderfields….sort this issue out!! Security should have stepped in to protect me being harassed by the two guys. Smokers should be moved on by Security to the designated areas or fined. It’s just not acceptable.