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Hairmyres Hospital, reception area, 'farmers market' stall.

Posted By Zola

"Hairmyres Hospital, reception area, 'farmers market' stall."

About: University Hospital Hairmyres

(as the patient),

Visiting Hairmyers Hospital this afternoon, July 12.

I was surprised to encounter a large stall  in the reception area selling all sorts of sugar-laden goods.

There were biscuits, cakes, the old Scots favourite tablet and macaroon bars and a big selection of jams and honey.

All delicious I'm sure!   And there were customers buying, visitors and staff.

But I wondered why the hospital authorities would be allowing and encouraging the sale of the very foods they are telling us to avoid!

Foods laden with sugar and fat.

A couple of months back I was in Monklands  Hospital and , in the reception area, there was a fruit stall selling all sorts of fresh fruit and vegetables.

It looked lovely, colourful and inviting.

But this 'farmers market' stall today in Hairmyres Hospital struck me as completely at odds with official advice re diet recommendations from Lanarkshire bHealth Board.

While sitting waiting for my appointment I could see leaflets advising,

cut out sugar, fats.   No recommendations to eat more biscuits, cakes and tablet!

I would love to know how Hairmyres and  Lanarkshire Health Board can think that this stall being allowed to sell in one of our biggest hospitals is a good idea.

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Responses

Response from Susan Friel, Director of Nursing, Acute Services, NHS Lanarkshire 6 years ago
We have made a change
Susan Friel
Director of Nursing, Acute Services,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 13/07/2018 at 15:33
Published on Care Opinion at 15:58

picture of Susan Friel

Dear Zola

Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention. NHS Lanarkshire considers healthy eating to be vitally important in improving the health and wellbeing of its staff. On a daily basis several hundred people use our services either as out-patients, visitors or carers and so there is potential to impact on the dietary health of the wider population through the food and drinks that are made available.

At Hairmyres hospital in line with all other NHS Lanarkshire premises we promote and fully support healthy eating. We can advise that at Hairmyres hospital the onsite RVS shop met “The Healthcare Retail Standards; January 2017" and the Hospital Restaurant, Coffee Shop and Vending machines gained re-accreditation of the Healthy Living Award Gold Standard in April 2018, which gives recognition to caterers and the food service sector in taking a range of steps to provide healthier options. The same fruit and vegetables stall you saw at Monklands also visits Hairmyres a couple of days per week. The stall you saw was we believe a charity fundraising stall. Your post has now prompted us to review how we select appropriate stalls within our atrium.


Thank you for highlighting this important issue.

Kind Regards

Susan

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