With first actions required by July this year, the support package helps hospitals understand their current position in relation to food and drink provision as well as giving them the tools to make the changes that will allow them to meet the CQUIN (Commissioning for Quality and Innovation) requirements.
Dr Susannah McWilliams, Hospital Leaders Programme Manager, Food for Life, said: “Food for Life is committed to ensuring the food offered by hospitals makes a positive contribution to a health promoting environment.
“Our Hospital Leaders programme builds on the work already being done by the Food for Life Catering Mark in hospitals throughout the country.
“The CQUIN support package has been designed to help Trusts unlock the benefits of the new NHS Staff Health and Wellbeing CQUIN, both in terms of staff health and wellbeing and financial incentives.”
The CQUIN outlines four key outcomes around food offered on premises that health care providers must achieve:
- The banning of price promotions on sugary drinks and foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS)
- The banning of advertisement on NHS premises of sugary drinks and foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS)
- The banning of sugary drinks and foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) from checkouts
- Ensuring that healthy options are available at any point including for those staff working night shifts.