Summary
The Central West Hospital and Health Service’s food and drink choices have received top marks from Health and Wellbeing Queensland.
Central West Health was one of 10 hospital and health services across the state who scored 100 per cent compliance in Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s 2025 A Better Choice
performance report.
The Central West Hospital and Health Service’s food and drink choices have received top marks from Health and Wellbeing Queensland.
Central West Health was one of 10 hospital and health services across the state who scored 100 per cent compliance in Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s 2025 A Better Choice
performance report.
Central West Health dietitian Sophie Gouveia said the health service worked hard to ensure staff, patients, aged care residents and visitors had ready access to the most nutritious food and drink choices possible.
“Although we have no retail outlets, we have a very strong focus on health when stocking public and staff vending machines across our health facility sites, so it’s great to see our efforts towards this recognised in this latest report,’’ she said.
“But we would not be able to achieve this without the cooperation and help from all our facilities and our Allied Health Assistants.
“Although not a part of this annual reporting process, I would also like to pay tribute to the food services staff working in our hospital and multipurpose health service kitchens who are leading by example in promoting wellness and prioritising healthy menu options for patients, aged care residents and staff.
“They help ensure that our meal choices are not only healthy and nutritious but – just as importantly – appetising for consumers.’’
Central West Health Executive Director Regional Health Services Craig Carey welcomed the 2025 A Better Choice report result.
“The work of our dietitians, Allied Health Assistants and food services staff across our facilities reflects a shared commitment to offering people healthier, well-balanced and nutritious food and drink choices – not just through our vending machines but through our facility kitchens," he said.
“Research has shown that when food environments offer nutritious and delicious options, consumers are empowered to pursue them.’’
The 2025 A Better Choice data was collected from retail outlets at health facilities that have them, as well as vending machines in 17 Queensland health services – comprising 16 hospital and health services plus Mater Health.
A Better Choice guides hospital and health services to create healthy food environments that promote healthier food and drinks to staff and visitors.
It is based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and uses a traffic light system to classify products in three colour-coded categories according to their nutrition value with Green being
best, Amber offering some dietary value and Red offering limited or no dietary value.
Health and Wellbeing Queensland monitors and reports on health service efforts to meet the required better choice targets.