
The move has come after Quins Pharmacy co-owner Bernie McKone got in touch with the Southern Stop Smoking Service offering the opportunity to host a clinic from its premises.
Invercargill Metro Stop Smoking coach Joanne Te Tai travels to Gore on Friday mornings for the clinic.
Mr McKone said he was pleased to have the Southern Stop Smoking Service on site because he had found people always had better success rates at stopping smoking when they had nicotine replacement therapy alongside advice and support from an expert.
“It's much easier now because before we (pharmacists) would talk about smoking cessation but wouldn't have the tools or linkages to provide advice or resources. This is a big step forward and we just want to build on it,” he says.
"We've always said the single best thing anyone can do for their health is to stop smoking. It makes the biggest difference."
Mr McKone is hopeful the clinics will grow and could be run from the pharmacy's depots in Mataura and Lumsden.
Joanne Te Tai is equally motivated to facilitate the clinic at Quins Pharmacy, and says so far it had been a mixture of referrals, and on-the-spot work.
“The first day a lady had come in to pick up her prescription and realized I was there, so she came over and had a talk and was excited to be able to refer her husband into the service.”
Gore had been engaging with referrals and people were motivated to make changes to their smoking. “We put that down to the advice they’re getting from local stop smoking champions such as Bernie.”
People like Bernie make a massive difference in small communities, she said. “It’s the small town heroes putting their hands up for their community.”
The Southern Stop Smoking Service facilitates clinics in all areas across the region. These include:
Gore Runaka Office – 9am-12pm Thursday’s.
Gore Hospital – 10am-3pm Thursday’s.
Quins Pharmacy, Gore - 10am-12pm Friday’s.
Tapanui West Otago Health – Thursday afternoons.
Bluff Medical Centre – Tuesday afternoons.
Junction Health Cromwell – 9am-5.30pm Wednesday’s and 8.30am-12pm Friday’s.
Alexandra Family Medical – 8.30am-5.30pm Thursday’s and 1.30pm-5.30pm Friday’s.
The Hub (Oxford Street) South Dunedin – 11.30am-1.00pm Monday’s.
Dunedin Southern Stop Smoking Service office (137 Frederick Street) – 9am-3pm and 5pm-7pm Tuesday’s.
Tumai Ora Services Waikouati – 12pm-2pm Monday’s.
Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust – 10am-3pm and 5pm-6.30pm Monday’s, 9am-4.30pm Thursday’s, and 9am-3pm Friday’s.
Waka Landing, Riverton – 6pm-7.30pm Monday’s.
Nightcaps Play Centre – 11am-12.30pm Wednesday’s.
Winton Maternity Centre – 2pm-5pm Wednesday’s.
Tokomairiro Community Hub, Milton - Monday's and Tuesday's.
Budget Advice Balclutha - Monday's and Tuesday's.
Wanaka Health Centre – 1pm-6pm Monday’s.
Glenorchy Community Centre – 9.30am-2.30pm Wednesday's.
Baillie & Lewis Pharmacy, South City Invercargill – 10.00am-12.00pm Tuesday’s.
Southland Hospital Maternity Clinic – 10.00am-1.00pm Wednesday’s.
Appointments can be made for the above clinics by calling 0800 925 242.