October 23, 2025At Northern Health, we are committed to delivering safe, person-centred care that supports healthier lives across our community. One of the most powerful ways we can improve health outcomes is by helping people to stop smoking. Quitting smoking not only reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and lung conditions—it also improves day-to-day wellbeing, reduces hospital admissions, and supports faster recovery from illness and surgery.
To make it easier for our patients to quit, Northern Health provides a dedicated Smoking Cessation Service, which offers up to eight individualised appointments with trained staff. These appointments give patients ongoing, personalised support to address the physical, behavioural, and emotional challenges of quitting. Every patient has a different journey, and our program recognises that success often comes from combining expert advice, encouragement, and evidence-based strategies over time.
“Quitting smoking is one of the most impactful ways a person can influence their health trajectory,” says Dr Melissa Yang, Respiratory Physician. “We enjoy building positive, supportive relationships with our patients as they take on this challenge. Our approach creates a safe, encouraging environment where patients are empowered to lead their own journey toward a smoke-free life.”
This year, we are proud to announce the launch of an important new initiative: The Smoking Cessation Digital Care Pathway (DCP). Delivered through the My Health@Northern App, this pathway brings together education, resources, and tools all in one place.
The Smoking Cessation DCP is designed to complement our face-to-face service by offering:
- Education and information in one easy-to-access app – Patients can find reliable resources about the benefits of quitting, strategies to manage cravings, and practical tips to stay smoke-free.
- Ongoing engagement and reminders – Short check-in messages encourage patients along their journey and celebrate milestones.
- Accessible support at any time – Information is available whenever patients need it, helping them stay on track between appointments.
- Connection to broader services – Patients can be guided to additional support, such as their GP or Quitline, if needed.
By combining the expertise of our staff with the accessibility of digital tools, Northern Health is creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take the next step toward quitting. Importantly, the pathway not only guides patients through the challenges of stopping smoking but also reinforces the many benefits of a smoke-free life, such as improved breathing, better sleep, and more energy to enjoy time with family and friends.
“We’re so happy that our patients now have access to the digital care pathway to help them quit smoking,” says Dr Yang. “It means all the resources, tips and tools are in one easy-to-access place. It helps us keep in touch with our patients at a time when things can feel hard, lonely and really challenging.”
The launch of this pathway is also a strong example of value-based healthcare in action. At its heart, value-based healthcare is about improving outcomes that matter most to patients while making care more sustainable. Helping people to stop smoking not only delivers significant health benefits for individuals, but it also reduces long-term system costs from preventable illness. By embedding smoking cessation into My Health@Northern, we are aligning clinical care with what matters to patients—better health, better recovery, and a better quality of life.
Feedback from patients already using the DCP has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have commented that having all the information in one place reduces confusion and makes them feel more supported. The short, encouraging messages and easy-to-read resources are proving especially valuable during times when motivation dips.
“Being into the clinic once every couple of weeks to see a doctor was good. If I couldn’t get there, I’d speak to them on the phone,” one consumer shared.
Smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of illness and death in Australia. Supporting people to quit is a powerful way to reduce the burden of disease and create a healthier future for our community. Northern Health is proud to be taking proactive steps to address this challenge, through both our dedicated Smoking Cessation Service and our innovative new Digital Care Pathway.
Together, we can make a difference – helping more people break free from smoking and experience the benefits of a healthier, smoke-free life.
