Events taking place around the country during Salt Awareness Week
700 complimentary health professional packs including an introduction to the Week, examples of resources that could be ordered and a sample press release, were distributed at the end of 2006 throughout the whole of the UK. Packs were sent to health professionals (including dietitians, nutritionists and health promotion units) who work in hospitals, GP surgeries, health charities, educational institutions, the food industry and government organisations. A further 600 GP surgeries also received posters and leaflets to display in their surgery.
We had fantastic support from health professionals around the country. Below are some examples of supporting events that took place around the country and how health professionals utilised the resources during the Week:
Rebecca Stanners, Community Dietitian, County Hospital , Hereford
"We had a discussion about the salt content of manufactured foods with members of the public. a journalist from BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester recorded a piece to be broadcast later."
"Thank you for your useful information pack - it inspired me to contact the local radio station and record a piece [to be broadcast at a later date]."
Lynne Donovan, Dietitian, Cleethorpes
"a display of leaflets and handouts at two large medical centres"
Lynne also wrote an article which featured in the Grimsby Evening Telegraph.
Great Yarmouth Community Dietitian Team
"A salt awareness stand will be displayed providing information, statistics and practical advice for the public around the Great Yarmouth area."
Durham County Council's Trading Standards Service
"is putting displays in libraries throughout the county as part of National Salt Awareness Week organised by Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH)."
Kris Mason, Dietetic Assistant, Whitson Hospital , Merseyside
Knowsley PCT acute and community dietitians will be holding an interactive health promotion event in Whitson Hospital to involve staff, patients and visitors. This will include the provision of information and leaflets and interactive activities e.g. high salt vs low salt tasting sessions. Dietitians will be on hand all day to give individual information and advice. The display will include posters, leaflets, test tubes (to show actual salt content of food items), tasters and products that can be used as alternatives to salt."
Hilary Davis, Derby City PCT NHS
"The event will take place at the Health and Well Being Centre from Jan 29 th to Feb 4 th starting at 10am - 5pm and one late night 5-8pm. The local library will also be involved. Display board and table with a variety of resource materials e.g. salt games and a quiz for parents and children."
Laura Robertson, Cardiac CNS Office, Royal Free Hospital
"Cardiovascular specialist nurses, doctors and dietitians will have a stall outside the coffee shop handing out relevant leaflets and offering blood pressure testing."
Food Team Leader, David Pickering, Buckinghamshire Trading Standards
"To coincide with National Salt Awareness Week Trading Standards officers will be on hand at the Healthy Living Centre, Walton Court, Aylesbury on Tuesday 30 th January and Friars Square Shopping Centre, Aylesbury on Wednesday 31 st January to offer advice and information about how much salt is in food and what to look for on labels to give you the information you need to make an informed choice. There will also be a display at the Chiltern District Council offices in Amersham."