Hospital vending machines found to be loaded with junk food

A cancer charity as hit out at hospitals across England for allowing patients free access to unhealthy and high calorie snacks.

World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) have conducted a survey that shows 73% of English health trusts are lacking any kind of policy to monitor what type of food is being offered in their vending machines.

This means all patients, in addition to staff and visitors, can pick and choose whatever chocolate, crisps and fizzy drinks they please.

The WCRF’s criticism stems from the fact that there are no national guidelines on the health content of food and drink sold in hospital vending machines in England, unlike the machines in Scotland and Wales which have to include a minimum of 30% healthier choice options for food and drink products. This has been the case since 2008 when both countries introduced their own guidelines, and the WCRF say England has fallen ‘woefully’ behind.

The WCRF’s survey included each acute hospital trust – all 146 of them in England – and asked questions regarding their stance on vending machines and if any policies were in place.

Perhaps tellingly, only 110 of the 146 bothered to respond and 81 admitted no such policies were in existence. Shockingly, only 11 of the trusts claimed they did have a vending machine policy and 18 said a policy was currently ‘in development’.

In total, over half (58%) of hospitals said their vending machines did not have 30% healthy products, however 67% said they offered at least one healthier option for each type of product in their machines.

Amanda McLean, general manager at the WCRF, said chocolate bars, crisps and sugary soft drinks were not suitable things to be stocking inside hospital vending machines.

“Because there is strong evidence that these foods cause obesity – a risk factor in diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease – they are partly to blame for many people ending up in hospital in the first place,” she said.

“Hospitals should put an end to vending machines that sell only high calorie food and drink. They should be beacons of good health in our communities and encourage and support people in making healthier choices about the food they eat.”

It was back in June at the British Medical Association’s (BMA) conference when doctors spoke of their belief that hospitals should prohibit the sale of junk food in their vending machines and cafes.
The BMA’s science board is now assessing the issue before urging the Department of Health to introduce guidelines for every hospital in the country.

The  Department of Health themselves released a statement via a spokeswoman, who said: “Hospitals in England have a clear responsibility to promote healthier choices in vending machines so staff and visitors can eat good quality food. We know that some hospitals have already signed up to our Responsibility Deal and committed to making healthier food and drink available, and would encourage other hospitals to do the same and look after their staff, patients and visitors.”

Doctors vote in favour of strike

The British Medical Association has revealed the results of a ballot, showing that the majority of doctors have voted to initially go on strike on June 21. The ‘industrial action’ is the first time that doctors have decided to take such drastic action since the 1970s, and comes in protest to planned changes to doctors’ NHS pensions. Changes will result in doctors coughing up potentially 14.5% of their salaries into pension contributions. This is twice as much as some other public sector workers on a similar salary and who will receive a similar pension. In addition, doctors will also have to work longer to receive their pension, up to 68 years old for younger doctors.

Doctors have argued that they will still attend to emergency cases but will postpone any non-urgent problems. This will of course leave thousands without care and will without doubt harm some patients. The doctors hope this will be enough action to force the Government’s hand, and alter their plans for pension reforms. Some doctors argue they are being ‘forced’ to act.

For the average working-class citizen however, it may be a little difficult to sympathise with them. For doctors earning £120,000 a year, their annual pension still equates to over £48,000, which is a lot more than the majority of the UK are currently earning and is still more than double the average wage. Workers in the private sector would need to have acquired savings of roughly £1 million to achieve a pension of £48,000. In addition, in the last decade, doctors have seen their pay increase by nearly 50% and yet incredibly, their working hours have decreased.

Back in May, the Conservative MP, Dr Dan Poulter, resigned from the BMA in response to the planned strike. Dr Poulter has been the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP since 2010, and also works as a part-time NHS hospital doctor. Dr Poulter was clearly incensed by the attitude of the doctors and in May he commented, “I would never have contemplated going on strike when I was a full-time doctor. This is going to damage the reputation of the medical profession and it’s going to hurt patients.” He further added, “We need to be able to afford the pensions and afford to look after people in terms of funding the NHS and it’s important that doctors pay their fair share along with everyone else.”