Hospital sugary drink ban advised

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7452713.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Sugary drinks in vending machines and unhealthy canteen meals could become a thing of the past in hospitals.

The Scottish Government has issued new guidelines encouraging NHS staff to promote better health rather than just treat people when things go wrong.

The advice also covers tackling alcohol abuse, helping patients quit smoking and promoting breastfeeding.

The guidance was launched by the Public Health Minister Shona Robison at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

NHS Tayside has already banned sugary drinks in vending machines at some of its hospitals.

'Small interventions'

Ms Robison said: "Scotland's health is improving year-on-year, but there is much more we can do to save lives by shifting the balance of care towards prevention.

"Small interventions at the point of care can make a big difference. These interventions, in conjunction with others, will help to address health inequalities and break the link between deprived areas and unhealthy lifestyles which lead to long term illness and shorter life expectancy.

"I am delighted to be at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee to launch this guidance. It has been very encouraging to see the innovative Drinks4Health approach to removing sugary drinks from vending machines across all of Tayside."

Chairman of NHS Tayside Sandy Watson said: "The launch of the Health Promoting Health Service guidance means we can ensure that we are taking every opportunity to improve the health of patients and visitors to our acute hospitals.

"Health promotion initiatives targeting our communities are at the forefront of today's NHS in Scotland as we strive to prevent ill health, as well as providing health care."