Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has apologised after a member of the public raised concerns about smoking at the entrance to the Royal Children's Hospital in Belfast.

The trust administers the hospital and introduced a Smoke Free policy across its sites in March 2016. The policy seeks public health benefits and protection for those using trust facilities.

A spokesperson for the trust stated that compliance remains challenging at the Royal Children's Hospital site. The trust has invested in planning, rollout and review of the policy.

Support includes a Stop Smoking Service available to patients and staff. The policy has cut smoking levels at most trust locations.

The spokesperson noted that further efforts are required to ensure full compliance and establish non-smoking norms at healthcare sites.