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Hospital vending machines snack ban
CRISPS, chocolate and sugary drinks will be removed from vending machines in hospitals.
Most unhealthy vending machines will go from Wales's hospitals in the next six months.
Nearly all are due to be banished by 2010, the Assembly Government said.
Only the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff - Wales's largest - will miss the deadline because it has a five-year contract with its supplier.
The Assembly Government said it would work with machine operators so healthier snacks can be introduced.
Guidance on acceptable food will be issued to NHS trusts.
The Women's Royal Voluntary Service will also be asked to sell healthier food at the shops and tea points it runs in hospitals.
Health Minister Edwina Hart said the coalition was determined to tackle the underlying causes of poor health.
About 20% of 13-year-olds, 60% of men and 50% of women in Wales are overweight or obese.
The Assembly Government cited a study into vending machines in paediatric departments that found most of the food available was unhealthy.
Few trusts had machines at least half-stocked with healthy drinks.
12:02am Tuesday 25th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: john on 8:35am Tue 25 Mar 08
It’s my body and I can do what I like with it.
Why don’t the government just get on with more pressing stuff
All I read is what we should do how we should do it.
I don’t eat crisps chocolate or burgers I don’t touch any junk food but that’s my choice I would not put my views on others.
If some one wants to get fat its there choice.
This country is getting so bad with rules, yet they don’t impose them on our kids
Us adults are losing out big time with the smoking the drinking. Petrol prices.
Train fares busses.
Now they got the **** cheek to tell us what people should put in their mouths as treats.
Jilted john
It’s my body and I can do what I like with it.
Why don’t the government just get on with more pressing stuff
All I read is what we should do how we should do it.
I don’t eat crisps chocolate or burgers I don’t touch any junk food but that’s my choice I would not put my views on others.
If some one wants to get fat its there choice.
This country is getting so bad with rules, yet they don’t impose them on our kids
Us adults are losing out big time with the smoking the drinking. Petrol prices.
Train fares busses.
Now they got the **** cheek to tell us what people should put in their mouths as treats.
Jilted john
Posted by: H Robinson., Lincolnshire. on 9:18am Tue 25 Mar 08
I agree with your basic principle John, but I think these machines are a rip-off anyway, take your snacks with you, pop into Tesco before you go to the Hospital.if possible
I agree with your basic principle John, but I think these machines are a rip-off anyway, take your snacks with you, pop into Tesco before you go to the Hospital.if possible
Posted by: Claire on 10:08am Tue 25 Mar 08
[italic]Aren't the underlying causes of poor health in the Royal Gwent the wonderful array of bugs they have ready for you to breath in on your way to the unhealthy vending machine??? Maybe they should concentrate more on that!!![/italic]
Aren't the underlying causes of poor health in the Royal Gwent the wonderful array of bugs they have ready for you to breath in on your way to the unhealthy vending machine??? Maybe they should concentrate more on that!!! Posted by: Gill Shutt on 10:38am Tue 25 Mar 08
Having spent 3 weeks in Neville Hall last year I think this is ridiculous. The food was fine but the odd drink or bar of chocolate was a treat. I still managed to lose half a stone while in there.
Anyone who wants fizzy drinks etc will just get someone to bring them in if they aren't available and the hospital/volunteer services will lose out on the revenue.
If they put in nice healthy options no one is going to buy them... that's what the meals are for.
Having spent 3 weeks in Neville Hall last year I think this is ridiculous. The food was fine but the odd drink or bar of chocolate was a treat. I still managed to lose half a stone while in there.
Anyone who wants fizzy drinks etc will just get someone to bring them in if they aren't available and the hospital/volunteer services will lose out on the revenue.
If they put in nice healthy options no one is going to buy them... that's what the meals are for.
Posted by: Mollyjean, Newport on 11:15am Tue 25 Mar 08
I welcome the idea, we are all getting too fat & lazy. Replace the junk food with healthy snacks. If people want to eat such junk, they can go outside with the smokers to eat it.
I welcome the idea, we are all getting too fat & lazy. Replace the junk food with healthy snacks. If people want to eat such junk, they can go outside with the smokers to eat it.
Posted by: tim, Magor on 11:57am Tue 25 Mar 08
More Labour nanny state nonsence.
More Labour nanny state nonsence.
Posted by: saes, Valleys on 12:09pm Tue 25 Mar 08
The hospitals actually make a profit from these machines. There will be no extra funding to compensate for this just as there will be no more money to fund free parking. Wake up people!
The hospitals actually make a profit from these machines. There will be no extra funding to compensate for this just as there will be no more money to fund free parking. Wake up people!
Posted by: Rosie, Newport on 1:32pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Whatever happened to freedom of choice?
Whatever happened to freedom of choice?
Posted by: Gemski, Cwmbran on 2:28pm Tue 25 Mar 08
I personally think it should be a choice. Leave them there its down to the individual, self discipline. Why do the they need to bring in statistics like “About 20% of 13-year-olds, 60% of men and 50% of women in Wales are overweight or obese”
It’s their own fault that their obese, taking away this privilege (from us all) will just encourage them to ask their relatives to bring it in etc.
Rules, rules, rules its getting beyond...
I personally think it should be a choice. Leave them there its down to the individual, self discipline. Why do the they need to bring in statistics like “About 20% of 13-year-olds, 60% of men and 50% of women in Wales are overweight or obese”
It’s their own fault that their obese, taking away this privilege (from us all) will just encourage them to ask their relatives to bring it in etc.
Rules, rules, rules its getting beyond...
Posted by: Corpa Flash, Newport on 4:08pm Tue 25 Mar 08
You only have to watch the documentaries on the Discovery Channel to know that this is a 100% pointless exercise. Tubbies that go into special diet clinics have been shown that even when they are on special diets, some of them still don't manage to lose weight. Either the families continue to bring food in or they have takeaways delivered should we expect this to happen here? This therefore proves that the process of removing things like chocolate will have at best the effect of upsetting those who want it just as a small comfort at a time of maximum stress- i.e. in hospital.
You only have to watch the documentaries on the Discovery Channel to know that this is a 100% pointless exercise. Tubbies that go into special diet clinics have been shown that even when they are on special diets, some of them still don't manage to lose weight. Either the families continue to bring food in or they have takeaways delivered should we expect this to happen here? This therefore proves that the process of removing things like chocolate will have at best the effect of upsetting those who want it just as a small comfort at a time of maximum stress- i.e. in hospital.
Posted by: js, cardiff on 4:32pm Tue 25 Mar 08
its ok for propple to come on here saying freedom of choice and all that crap but the obese of today are the drain on the health service of tomorrow.
I go to a local gym 3-4 times a week and take pride in my appearance obvioulsy unlike some who just sit around moaning they are fat and then shouting about freedom of choice !!!!
its ok for propple to come on here saying freedom of choice and all that crap but the obese of today are the drain on the health service of tomorrow.
I go to a local gym 3-4 times a week and take pride in my appearance obvioulsy unlike some who just sit around moaning they are fat and then shouting about freedom of choice !!!!
Posted by: Dave on his soapbox, Casnewydd, Gwent on 5:22pm Tue 25 Mar 08
.....yet another 'Baseball Cap' one size fits all policy by government.
Everyone is different...but time after time we're all treated that we are.
While there is a problem with diet...simply removing vending machines will not solve the problem....like the other proposed idea to remove cigarettes from display in shops...it doesn't address the real problems.
.....yet another 'Baseball Cap' one size fits all policy by government.
Everyone is different...but time after time we're all treated that we are.
While there is a problem with diet...simply removing vending machines will not solve the problem....like the other proposed idea to remove cigarettes from display in shops...it doesn't address the real problems.
Posted by: sundaegirl, wales on 6:49pm Tue 25 Mar 08
When my mother was in hospital dying of cancer she had a craving for jaffa cakes. I suppose the health fascists would have made her eat an apple instead. People who are bed bound deserve a treat now and then. They are threatening to extend this to the hospital shops and take away all freedom of choice. It's disgusting.
When my mother was in hospital dying of cancer she had a craving for jaffa cakes. I suppose the health fascists would have made her eat an apple instead. People who are bed bound deserve a treat now and then. They are threatening to extend this to the hospital shops and take away all freedom of choice. It's disgusting.
Posted by: cld, valleys on 8:17pm Thu 27 Mar 08
I suppose thinking up these sort of policies keeps someone in a job.
Daft if you ask me as the people with bad diets will find another way to get their sugar fixes anyway.
I suppose thinking up these sort of policies keeps someone in a job.
Daft if you ask me as the people with bad diets will find another way to get their sugar fixes anyway.
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