Affiliation:
1. Unit of Horal Health Services Research and Dental Public Health, King’s College London Dental Institute, Denmark Hill Campus, Bessemer Road, London SE5 9RS
Abstract
There were 17.8 million finished consultant episodes in the year 2011–2012 in UK hospitals. 1 As well as the patients themselves, there are also relatives and friends that will visit hospitals and of course the hospital staff. Are we promoting health to this significant population? Or are we giving mixed messages, particularly in selling unhealthy food and drinks in our canteens, kiosks and vending machines? Are there healthy choices available? As recently as 1983, cigarettes were sold in a quarter of Wessex acute and maternity hospitals. 2 Nowadays this seems unthinkable. Is this different to selling sweets and sugary drinks in a dental hospital?
Publisher
Royal College of Surgeons of England