Hospitals achieve record results in healthy food, drink audit
Queensland’s public healthcare facilities are delivering record results in creating healthier food and drink environments, with the latest statewide audit showing the strongest performance since reporting began.
Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s 2025 A Better Choice Healthcare performance report found that almost 9 in 10 (86%) retail outlets and vending machines across Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) are now meeting healthy food and drink supply targets.
The annual audit measures implementation of the Health Service Directive: Healthier food and drinks at healthcare facilities, introduced in 2019 to support healthier choices for staff, visitors and communities across Queensland’s public health system.
The 2025 results showed strong progress across the State, including:
- Almost 9 in 10 (86%) retail outlets and vending machines met all food and drink targets statewide
- 10 HHSs achieved all food and drink targets
- 11 HHSs improved performance against food or drink targets compared with 2024
- 96% of HHSs now provide free drinking water in high-traffic or widely accessible areas, up from 83%
The audit includes data collected from retail outlets and vending machines across 17 Queensland HHSs, including Mater Health.
Health and Wellbeing Queensland Chief Executive Dr Robyn Littlewood said the results reflected sustained commitment across the health system to creating environments that support staff and visitors to make choices that promote health and wellbeing.
“The latest results are the best we’ve seen and demonstrate the strong commitment from Hospital and Health Services across Queensland to improving access to healthier food and drink options,” Dr Littlewood said.
“Creating healthier environments is an important part of preventive health. When healthier choices are easier to access, it helps support the health and wellbeing of staff, visitors and all who access our health services every day.”
Learn more about A Better Choice and Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s work to create healthier environments across Queensland.
