Hospital staff opt for unhealthy options

Key findings revealed poor levels of understanding amongst many hospital staff around the term 'healthy eating option'. For example, 37% of staff admitted to avoiding healthy options because they were 'not on a diet', highlighting the need for greater education on the importance of healthy eating. The research also revealed relatively poor dietary habits among hospital staff. In one hospital, the most popular and widely purchased hot meal in one hospital canteen was identified as 'chips and gravy' and the top two snacks bought being crisps and chocolate – whereas whole fruit was the top snack choice for just 12%. Issues around the availability, range of choice, cost and convenience of food options were raised as key factors influencing food purchasing choices, indicating that staff would be more likely to eat healthily where healthy eating options are readily available and reasonably priced. Staff said they would like to see more healthy food options on offer in their catering facilities - including fresh salads, more healthy hot meals and more fruit. Almost 40% of respondents also stated that they felt more water should be offered in preference to fizzy drinks in hospital vending machines and canteens. Until December, each participating hospital will now be piloting, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of new healthy eating promotions among their employees until December. This includes simple catering changes such as introducing new menu items, the offer of a free bottle of water with a main meal, and other health food discounts. Canteen staff will also be modifying recipes to reduce the amount of fat, salt and sugar and increase fruit and vegetables in meals.