Hospitals and health services play a central role in getting us back on our feet when we are sick or injured. They can also play a big role in keeping us healthy and well for the long term.
For the first time, ‘Supporting Healthy Populations’ has been included as a domain in the Statements of Priorities for Victorian health services. The Statements of Priorities outline key service delivery and accountability agreements between health services and the Victorian Government.
Alfred Health has a long-standing commitment to improving the health of not only its patients and staff, but also that of the wider community.
A range of initiatives have been implemented by them in recent years, resulting in benefits to the wider population.
Their activities have focused on three areas:
- Achieving an environment which supports health by being smoke-free, increasing access to healthy foods and drinks, and providing facilities to support active travel.
- Supporting smoking cessation among inpatients, outpatients and in the pre-admission setting, and introducing new brief intervention approaches to identify and address overweight and obesity and other risk factors through clinical interactions.
- Supporting the health of their workforce through physical activity opportunities and providing active support to quit smoking.
With support from the Department of Health and Human Services, Alfred Health will now be helping other Victorian hospitals and health services to support healthy populations.
For more information about implementing prevention within a hospital or health service, visit the Alfred Health website or contact Alfred Health.
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