Guidelines help hospitals make drink options healthier

New South Wales Health in Australia has banned the sale of sugary beverages from its healthcare facilities, but Queensland has made the move optional, according to an article on the Brisbane Times website.

Queensland Health has opted to let hospital and health services implement their own policies, with no plans for a statewide ban on the sale of sugary drinks in public healthcare facilities. The trust has instead issued a guideline for individual hospitals and facilities to implement as they wish.

So far only Caboolture Hospital has decided to ban sugary drinks altogether, but other hospitals are working towards reducing the amount of sugary beverages available.

Metro South Health is working on a program to make it easier for patients, staff and visitors to make healthier food and drink choices by significantly reduce the amount of sugary drinks in the vending machines, cafes, retail outlets and staff canteens.

Read the article.