Award recipients show winning ways in Queensland healthcare
- Inaugural A Better Choice (ABC) Healthcare Awards recognise and reward outstanding achievements in food settings
- Eight recipients awarded for implementing, delivering and driving ABC Healthcare program
- More than 60% of Queenslanders want healthier food and drink options at hospital outlets
- Awards announced before all-day Conference shining a light on changemakers shaping food policy and community health across Queensland, and the country.
The 2025 A Better Choice Healthcare Awards, recognise the great work of individuals, teams, facilities and health services across the State, who are reshaping food policy and community health across Queensland, and reward their outstanding contributions.
A breakfast ahead of the bi-annual A Better Choice Conference, delivered by Health and Wellbeing Queensland on Tuesday 19 August, recognised winners in the inaugural A Better Choice Healthcare Awards.
Delivered by UQ Health Care in partnership with Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Logan Healthy Living has offered a lifestyle management program for people in the Logan community living with or at risk of type 2 diabetes since 2021.
Ten recipients received awards across six categories:
Transforming Food and Drink Environments
- Winner – Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation
Partnerships for Success
- Joint Winner – Jenny O’Dwyer, Sunshine Coast University Hospital (pictured)
- Joint Winner – Simon Dell, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Excellence in Sustainability
- Winner – Logan Hospital Foodservices Team, Metro South Hospital and Health Service
Driving Excellence in Implementation
- Winner – Bundaberg Hospital Foundation
Award for Excellence (Metro)
- Winner – Sunshine Coast University Hospital
- Runner Up – Metro North Hospital and Health Service
Award for Excellence (Regional)
- Winner – Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service
- Runner Up – Central West Hospital and Health Service
Chief Executive Recognition Award
- Winner – Gold Coast University Hospital
The winners were recognised for their efforts in implementing the A Better Choice (ABC Healthcare) Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for Queensland Healthcare Facilities, which is Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s healthy food and drink supply initiative, that supports healthcare settings across Queensland to deliver healthier choices in line with national food and drink guidelines.
ABC Healthcare focuses on supporting food and drink retailers and vending machines across Queensland’s sixteen Hospital and Health Services (HHSs), and the Mater.
‘I am so proud to recognise the excellent contributions of the winners in our inaugural awards,’ said Dr Robyn Littlewood, Chief Executive, Health and Wellbeing Queensland.
‘The ABC Healthcare program is driving real change across the state, supporting hospitals to increase healthy food and drink options in their cafes and vending machines.
‘Improving the food and drink environments in Queensland health facilities benefits the millions of visitors to hospitals each year, and more than 100,000 staff who work in Queensland hospital and health services.’
The Hon. Tim Nicholls, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services also acknowledged the work of the Award winners, and all who support ABC Healthcare.
‘When it comes to our health, we know prevention is often the key and that’s why offering healthier food and drink choices at our hospitals and health services is crucial,’ Minister Nicholls said. return on investment.
‘I commend all the award recipients for the wonderful work they’re doing in this space.’
More than 60% of Queenslanders want healthier food and drink options at hospital outlets.
ABC Healthcare empowers food providers with strategies to increase access to healthy food while maintaining their commercial viability.
The recent 2024 audit revealed several HHSs have not only met key performance targets but, in some cases, exceeded them.
‘94% of vending machines no longer contained any high sugar drinks and 81% per cent of hospitals offer freely available drinking water in high traffic areas,’ Dr Littlewood said.
‘That demonstrates what’s possible when leadership, vision and grassroots action align to create lasting health impact and make healthier choices the easy ones – and that’s a win all ‘round.’
A Better Choice – Health and Wellbeing Queensland is a Queensland-first public health approach designed to make it easier for Queenslanders to access healthy food and drink options in places outside the home.
Media contact details:
media@hw.qld.gov.au | 0439 599 210
