Salt Awareness Week - Lynne Feathersone MP visits the Whittington
On Friday 26 January, Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, visited the cardiac department Whittington Hospital in advance of National Salt Awareness Week 29 January to 4 February.
Lynne met consultant cardiologist Dr David Patterson, catering manager Cecil Douglas and the patients and staff on Montuschi ward. The cardiology ward has recently been relocated into the Whittington’s new £40 million building with stunning views across the city of London.
The Whittington’s cardiology department has recently been awarded a charter mark in recognition of high levels of patient care and service provision and sees approximately 100 patients per year.
As part of a commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles in the local population, all meals provided to patients on wards at the Whittington Hospital have been developed, in conjunction with the hospital’s dieticians, to be salt-reduced. The hospital restaurant also provides outpatients, visitors and staff with clearly marked healthy eating meal options, which are salt, fat and calorie reduced.
Lynne Featherstone said "I’m sure most people like me have spent January watching what they eat after the excesses of Christmas, but one thing they might not have thought about is how much salt they are consuming.
"Prevention is always better than cure so taking the time to check a label for salt content is well worth the bother. Locally, we’re fortunate to have these modern facilities on offer at the Whittington, but making a modest adjustment to our diets can help reduce the risk of ever having to use them - I hope my visit here today can highlight this."
More information on salt awareness can be found on www.hyp.ac.uk/cash