Plants First Healthcare
We are calling on NHS trusts, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and all other healthcare organisations across the United Kingdom to adopt a ‘Plant-Based by Default’ food menu.
Signatories
Health professionals are calling on all NHS hospitals and organisations across the United Kingdom to adopt a “Plant-Based by Default” food menu to improve health outcomes, cut carbon emissions, reduce pandemic risk, limit antibiotic resistance and decrease food costs, all without restricting choice.
The Plants First Healthcare Campaign
*The below letter will be sent to the CEO, lead dietitian, sustainability lead and medical director of every Trust and ICB in the country. We would love to get as many health professionals to sign as possible*
We are calling on NHS trusts, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and all other healthcare organisations to adopt a ‘Plant-Based by Default’ food menu1 . There is now overwhelming evidence that shifting towards a plant-predominant food system can significantly improve national health outcomes, address health inequalities and is essential for meeting our climate and nature targets2. There is growing evidence that it could also decrease NHS costs3. ‘Plant-Based by Default’ menus offer and incentivise plant-based meals as the primary menu option without restricting choice – meat and other animal products remain on the menu.
Plant-based meals can have direct health benefits. By encouraging a higher consumption of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and legumes we can reduce the prevalence of heart disease4, high blood pressure5, type 2 diabetes6, obesity7 and certain cancers8.
Plant-based meals can keep the food system within planetary boundaries.9 A typical plant based meal uses 75% less land, and has a 66% lower impact on biodiversity than one containing meat9. The current global food system contributes a third of all greenhouse gas emissions10 and in the UK 70% of our total food-related emissions come from red meat and dairy production alone 11. Furthermore, industrial animal practices are associated with the rise of antibiotic resistant infections12, the development of zoonotic diseases with pandemic potential13, and increases in particulate air pollution and ground level ozone14.
Plant-based meals can also save money. A modelling study has shown that this ‘plant-based by default’ approach could save the NHS £74 million annually and, if patients were also supported to make these dietary shifts at home, there would be significant household cost savings too15. The Office of Health Economics recently estimated that if just England were to adopt a completely plant-based diet there would be ‘a total net benefit to the NHS of around £18.8 billion per year’ 16. No other intervention can deliver such significant health benefits alongside cost savings and environmental benefits.
Healthcare institutions have the opportunity to lead the food system transformation that is needed within wider society. There is already a successful precedent. In 2022, eleven New York City hospitals moved to a ‘plant-based by default’ menu, with support from doctors and dietitians, and have achieved remarkable results: over 50% of patients in those hospitals have chosen plant-based meals and more than 90% were satisfied with their meal17. Food-related emissions have reduced by 36%, and financial savings by up to 59 cents (46 pence) per meal18, 19, 20. ‘Greener By Default’ (with whom we are not affiliated), worked with NYC Hospitals to achieve this goal, and provide one-on-one consultation, menu analysis, and marketing collateral, completely free of charge17.
We ask that in 2024 NHS healthcare organisations commit to implementing a ‘Plant-based by Default’ menu in order to promote a healthier and more sustainable food environment for patients and staff.
Yours Sincerely
Plants First Healthcare Campaign
Supporting Organisations
There is now overwhelming evidence that shifting towards a plant-predominant food system can significantly improve national health outcomes, address health inequalities and is essential for meeting our climate and nature targets. There is growing evidence that it could also decrease NHS costs.
Improve health outcomes
Cut carbon emissions
Limit antibiotic resistance
Decrease food costs
Reduce infectious pandemic risk
For better health outcomes, sign our letter
Leading the food system transformation
Healthcare institutions have the opportunity to lead the food system transformation that is needed within wider society. There is already a successful precedent. In 2022, eleven New York City hospitals moved to a ‘plant-based by default’ menu, with support from doctors and dietitians, and have achieved remarkable results.
We ask that in 2024 NHS healthcare organisations commit to implementing a ‘Plant-based by Default’ menu in order to promote a healthier and more sustainable food environment for patients and staff.
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