NHS could pay for healthy school dinners

According to recent reports, the NHS could be made to pay for healthy school dinners in a bid to tackle childhood obesity.

The move has been suggested by Liverpool council and NHS primary care trust. Under the plans, around 26,000 children in the city's 139 primary schools would be given a free lunch featuring dishes such as fish, salads, fresh fruit and vegetables.

The average cost of a meal would stay at £1.65, meaning that the cost to the NHS each year would be a massive £8.3 million, according to the Metro newspaper.

Conservative shadow minister, Chris Grayling, highlighted his concerns over the move: "If the NHS is being asked to foot the bill there is a danger that other health programmes will be cut and that cannot be justified."

Dr Sandra Davies, Liverpool PCT head of planning, believes that this plan could benefit our children: "If we can provide at least one healthy, nutritious meal each day for school children then the scheme has been a success."

If all goes to plan, the Transforming School Food Strategy will be introduced in September next year, costing the health service over £8 million in one city alone.

Words: Maria Bracken

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