The NHS has come under fire for undermining the fight against obesity by allowing Burger King Restaurants inside hospitals.
Fat's not right: Campaigners say NHS should be leading by example
Out of 170 NHS Trusts, 40 rent space to chains including Burger King, Starbucks, Subway and Upper Crust. More are expected to open, according to the Sun. Addenbrookes in Cambridge and Mayday hospital in Croydon have Burger King outlets on their premises.
The Department of Health has hinted it wants an end to the practice, admitting the NHS should "lead by example". The British Heart Foundation described it as a "worrying symptom of an environment that hobbles people's ability to make healthy choices".
Tam Fry from the National Obesity Forum said it was "disgraceful". The final decision is taken locally, the Department of Health said in a statement to Sky News Online.
Obesity is on the up
"Our obesity strategy says that we expect the public sector to lead by example. The NHS has a responsibility to provide healthy and nutritious food for staff, patients and visitors. The NHS locally can choose to have shops and catering outlets in their hospitals. These outlets provide important services for patients, visitors and staff as well as generating income for the NHS. Profits must go back to local health services it".
"It is for the local NHS to decide which outlets are given space and to enter into appropriate contracts, but goods or services should not conflict with the ethos and objectives of health and well-being," the statement said.
"Hospitals need to honour historic contracts that they have already entered into, but given the importance of the obesity strategy today it would be hard for any NHS organisation to justify entering into a new contract with a fast food restaurant."
Mayday hospital confirmed it had a Burger King outlet but said its own restaurant offered low-fat foods.
"Mayday's main entrance is leased to a private company which rents retail space to a variety of food and non-food outlets providing choice for visitors, staff and any patients who may be well enough to leave the ward," a spokeswoman said.
Last year, 8,085 people were admitted to hospital in England for obesity related conditions, according to NHS figures. The health service's website advises people to "cut down on high fat snacks, junk food and ready meals, as they are often packed with fat, high levels of sugar and salt".
