Ban fast food giants from our hospitals, says NHS boss
HOSPITALS must stop allowing fast food chains to open outlets on their premises, the chief executive of the NHS will warn today.
Simon Stevens will tell the health service to ‘put its house in order’ and ensure hospitals are not adding to the nation’s obesity crisis by serving up unhealthy food.
He wants an end to fast food chains selling fatty, sugary food in hospital foyers – and will make it a condition of new contracts that customers are given a healthy option.
Fruit and savoury snacks should be dispensed in vending machines, in which chocolate and crisps should make up only 20 per cent of the food available. Private Finance Initiative firms – which run many of Britain’s hospitals – must also take responsibility, says Mr Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England.
Speaking at the NHS Innovation Expo conference in Manchester today, he will say: ‘It’s time for PFI contractors and catering firms to “smell the coffee” – ditch junk food from hospi- tals and serve up affordable and healthy options instead.’
Mr Stevens has made it a personal mission to tackle the nation’s obesity crisis since he took the NHS helm 18 months ago. He will stop short of calling for an all-out ban on the chains, but his team will meet major catering firms and hospital PFI contractors in the coming months to make it clear what is now expected.
An NHS England spokesman said last night: ‘NHS England will stress Stevens’ view that it is unacceptable for health sector organisations to be contracting with caterers who mainly sell foods which don’t meet nutritional standards, or promote unhealthy eating.’
When new catering contracts come up for review, hospitals will be expected to set out new nutrition rules. Major fast food companies are less common in NHS premises than they used to be, but Burger King, Pizza Hut and the Subway sandwich chain all have branches within hospitals.
Mr Stevens says his initiative will benefit ‘staff, patients and visitors alike’. His speech today will also focus on the health of NHS workers.
‘NHS staff have some of the most critical but demanding jobs in the country,’ he will say. ‘When it comes to supporting the health of our own work- force, frankly the NHS needs to put its own house in order.’
Ian Wright, of the Food and Drink Federation, backed Mr Stevens and added that producers gave nutrition information on packaging to help consumers looking for healthy options.
‘Put its own house in order’