Healthy Options WA: Food and Nutrition Policy for WA Health Services and Facilities

The Healthy Options WA: Food and Nutrition Policy for WA Health Services and Facilities has been amended in order to more effectively progress the provision of healthy food choices in health service food outlets.

From 1 October 2009, it will be mandatory for all WA health service food outlets and facilities to comply with the revised Healthy Options WA: Food and Nutrition Policy for WA Health Services and Facilities (April 2009). 

The major modifications to the policy are:

• The ‘Red’ and ‘Black’ categories have been pooled and labelled ‘Red’, with no foods or drinks totally prohibited.
• The proportion of ‘Green,’ ‘Amber’ and ‘Red’ products offered by food outlets and vending machines are now at least 50%, 30% and no more than 20% respectively.

1. POLICY RATIONALE:

Eating a nutritious diet is important to health throughout life.  Along with smoking, physical inactivity and harmful alcohol use, poor diet is a significant risk factor for a number of preventable chronic diseases, including but not limited to, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, some cancers and musculoskeletal conditions.  Good nutrition is an essential component of complete and effective health care for these and many other medical conditions currently being treated in our hospitals and health services.

Hospital-based vending machines and food outlets are a major source of food, beverages and snacks for outpatients, visitors and staff within health establishments.  The changes will support outpatients, visitors and staff to make healthy choices by promoting and increasing access to competitively priced nutritious and tasty foods and drinks, and reducing the availability of energy dense low nutrient foods and drinks. 

Health services have the opportunity to reinforce the health and nutrition messages being promoted by health care professionals and health promotion programs and campaigns.  They can become models for other workplaces and settings by providing and promoting affordable and nutritious foods and drinks in all premises and facilities.

This approach to preventing and managing disease is in keeping with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Promoting Hospitals approach.

2. POLICY AIMS:

The Healthy Options WA: Food and Nutrition Policy for WA Health Services and Facilities aims to enhance, improve and maintain the health of staff and the broader community by providing health care establishments that support and model good nutrition and healthy eating options.

The objectives of the policy within WA Health services and facilities are to:

• Increase the range and availability of healthy food and drink options from vending machines, ward trolleys and food outlets.
• Promote healthy food and drink options at point of sale and support ongoing health promotion and education.
• Reduce unhealthy food and drink options in food outlets to no more than 20% of food offered or displayed by the outlet.

3. SCOPE OF THE POLICY:

The policy applies to all services, facilities and establishments owned or leased by WA Health, including hospitals, community health centres/clinics, rehabilitation services and policy and administration agencies involved in the support and delivery of health services.

The new policy guidelines must be implemented in all food outlets in all WA Health services and facilities, including:

• Cafes and coffee shops.
• Food outlets and kiosks.
• Food and drink vending machines.
• Staff cafeterias and canteens.
• Ward trolley services for patients and visitors.

Where food and beverage outlets (such as cafes and kiosks) are provided under existing long-term contracts or leases, the new policy guidelines will be implemented as part of any new, renewed or renegotiated food service contracts and leases developed after 1 October 2009.

Fundraising initiatives, events and prizes, and professional catered functions and meetings must comply with the guidelines. The policy does not apply to inpatients or aged care resident meals and staff social functions.

4. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY:

(i). Responsibility for implementing this policy rests with the Area Health Services.  Responsibility for day-to-day management, planning and preparations for implementation of this policy is delegated to Executive Directors, Directors and Senior Managers across the entire WA Health.

(ii). Compliance with the policy is required by 1 October 2009.  Prior to that date, WA health service food outlets are expected to work towards full compliance.

(iii). Executive Directors will be required to report on progress on implementing this policy on 1 October 2010.  Assessment forms will be developed to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of progress. 

Dr Peter Flett
DIRECTOR GENERAL
WA HEALTH

ATTACHMENTS:

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Healthy Options WA: Food and Nutrition Policy for WA Health Services and Facilities (Amended April 2009)