Yahoo News NHS hospital becomes the first to ban sugary snacks for patients and staff
An NHS hospital has become the first to ban all sugary snacks – including for its staff.
Tameside Hospital in Greater Manchester has banned fizzy drinks, sweets, biscuits and chocolates from its vending machines and its canteens.
It wants its staff to set a good example for patients by not tucking into sugar-laced treats while at work.
The policy goes far beyond an incoming NHS ban in July that will see only fizzy drinks prohibited from the health service.
Last year, Tameside launched a trial scheme to encourage staff to lose weight.
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One nurse lost two stone in just 12 weeks of the trial period after snacks were removed from the canteen menu.
Other members of staff lost 20lbs in the same period, while some NHS staff underwent hypnotherapy to help them avoid sugary snacks.
The only drinks visitors to the hospital can buy are tea, coffee, milk and water.
Karen James, chief executive of the hospital, said: ‘My staff work very hard.
‘Long hours and shift patterns often make it very difficult for people to make healthy choices, so they opt for the instant sweet fixes, which until now have been readily available.
‘These are dedicated healthcare professionals who believe they should be role models for their patients but the food environment has been working against them.’
A recent report revealed that one in four nurses in the NHS is obese.
Tam Fry, chair of the National Obesity Forum, said: ‘Tameside’s initiative should be rolled out to every UK hospital forthwith.’
Last week, NHS England published an updated contract for hospitals which prohibits the sale of sugary drinks.
