Families in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, are being asked to strictly follow smoke‑free rules at local hospitals after a fire at the Queen’s Medical Centre earlier this month. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust issued an urgent reminder on 29 January 2026 calling for compliance with its longstanding smoke‑free policy following the incident.
The fire broke out on 2 January 2026 in the emergency department area while the hospital was already experiencing very high demand. An investigation by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service found the blaze was caused by ‘discarded smoking material’; the service said it had not disclosed the exact item involved.
As a result of the incident, the trust says it will step up enforcement of its smoke‑free sites, including using Smoke‑Free Engagement Officers and increased patrols to encourage compliance and protect patients. Staff moved a number of patients to safety while fire crews responded, and the department was reported as exceptionally busy at the time.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill gives the government powers to extend smoke‑free places to include outdoor areas around hospitals. Some proposals and existing regulations (for example in Scotland) describe a 15‑metre perimeter around hospital buildings as a smoke‑free zone; the Bill provides enabling powers which could be used to create similar perimeters in England through secondary legislation. The trust says stricter enforcement of smoke‑free rules is intended to protect vulnerable patients and reduce the risk of further incidents on site.
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