Hygiene and Healthy Eating Award
Introduction
There are two types of annual awards available in Darlington:
- The Heartwise School Food Award
- The Heartbeat Award
Any Award made will be withdrawn from caterers failing to maintain standards.
Partners
The Public Protection Division of Darlington Borough Council administers both Awards. They are endorsed by Darlington Borough Council; NHS Darlington Primary Care Trust; and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and also supported by British Heart Foundation.
Objective and Purpose of Project
Heartwise School Food Award 2003
Schools, nurseries and colleges with catering units may make applications for this annual award. The Award aims for compliance in the following areas:
- Comprehensive documented evidence of good food hygiene systems and risk assessments confirmed by inspection and interview
- Consistent and daily promotion of healthier school meal options with lower fat and sugar content and higher fibre (inspection assisted by nutrition adviser)
- 100% No smoking eating areas
- Evidence of promotion of healthier packed lunches
- Evidence of promotion of sugar free or low sugar play time snacks
The PCT were keen to integrate 5 a day and childhood obesity strategy, it was also linked to 5 a day and PCT food mapping initiative.
Darlington Heartbeat Award 2003
Commercial caterers at hotels, restaurants, hospitals, canteens and cafes may make applications for the annual award.
- The Award aims for compliance in the following areas: -
- Comprehensive documented evidence of good food hygiene systems and risk assessments confirmed by inspection and interview
- Consistent and continuing promotion and sale of healthier food options with lower fat and sugar content and higher fibre (inspection assisted by nutrition adviser)
- No smoking eating areas, 100% in canteens and at least 60% in restaurants and cafes.
Methodology
One lead officer (Environmental Health Officer) drives and co-ordinates everything, with minimum assistance from admin support and graphics dept for design and printing.
The accreditation is ideally agreed at a joint visit with a PCT representative but due to increasing numbers the inspection now comprises a self-assessment and full inspection of new applicants (20% of self-assessments chosen at random for on site visit) by environmental health. The Environmental health team feedback to operators during planned routine inspections.
The total amount of officer time needed to take the projects forward annually is 3 full days in December and a further 1 –2 days through the year for periodical reviews,.
In order for the officer to be able to incorporate all his work duties it is necessary to employ effective time management and planning. Some routine work can be worked into the scheme. Suspect holders may be ‘spot checked’ through the year.
Resources
The project was included in the Local Authority Annual Food Service Plan and contributes to BVP 166 scoring. See Download 1.
This is a local extended and customised version of the original Health Education Authority Heartbeat award initiative developed in liaison with Primary Care Trust, oral hygiene, hospital dietician and health promotion officers with specialist qualifications.
At the present time the initiative does not receive any funding at all, the annual budget is probably £150 for printing costs and postage per year plus officer time. The local college of further education sponsors the presentation ceremony venue.
Lessons Learned
Due to local changes in the Primary Care Trust organisation there are no longer any identifiable partners. Funding comes to the local Primary Care Trust who has appointed a local community dietician who may possibly be coming on board. However at this moment it is proving difficult to arrange a suitable date and time for meeting since early January 2004. The amount of officer time needed increases with the growing size of the scheme. The management of the scheme needs to remain with one person; the fieldwork can be shared.
Evaluation
The intention is that questionnaires to schools and businesses will be designed and promoted on-line in conjunction with web developments on this project to serve award holders and inform the public. A food access mapping exercise would be useful. On street market research could be done but costs are prohibitive.
Future Plans
At present the partnerships need reforming and ‘administrative’ barriers removing which are currently hindering the process of development and improvement.
They are hoping to expand the project via new premises to the scheme and a new focus on childcare sector (toddlers and infants) and elderly (care homes and sheltered accommodation).
In order to keep the project sustainable the aim is that by renewing partnerships, this could draw on some extra funding or fund bidding expertise and drive the scheme on. This is a good foundation to move forward. Part of the frustration is the time available to develop the scheme and build new partnership bridges.
Other Food Projects Underway in Darlington
Milk and Fruit Scheme – for £1 a week a child will receive one glass of milk and a piece of fruit per day whilst at school. In one primary school they have an uptake of 50% in year 1 & 2.
Good Food Gang – When they buy and eat a healthy option off the school menu they receive a sticker and when they fill the card they can cash this in for a free swim or similar activity.
Cash less dinner system – parents put money on a dinner card this prevents lunch money from being used to purchase confectionery. Also allows the cardholder to build up points if they choose healthy options.
Contact Details
Contact Name: Neville Newmarch
Local Authority Name: Darlington Borough Council
Local Authority Address: Public Protection Division
11 Houndgate
Darlington
DL1 5RF.
Telephone Number: 01325 388596
Fax Number: 01325 388555
Email Address: neville.newmarch@darlington.gov.uk
Other Resources:
- County Durham & Darlington Healthy School Standard Grid February 2004
- Web 2004 heartbeat update
- Darlington heartwise school food award assessment