Vending machines in hospitals

sometimes you need some sugar to get you up and caffine to keep you awake
Peko - NSW

Some sugary foods, like barley sugar lollies or jelly beans, might be good for diabetics or people with low blood sugar while waiting hours for treatment in hospital. But on the whole, I would prefer to see vending machines with healthy choices in hospitals.
Emma - ACT

Sometimes a sick patient (child or adult) needs a little chocolate or lolly treat when staying in hospital - after all they still get good meals provided.On the other hand, family members who are present with hospital patients for extended periods of time should be able to choose a quick, reasonably healthy snack to keep them going for a while.
Toni - QLD

I wonder why the bid was only for chocolate and confectionery? I agree with the above comments; a little something sweet can be appropriate, but I don't know that I've ever seen a vending machine containing anything other than high profit margin junk. I was speaking to a man on the tram today on his way to buy food to take to an outpatients appointment. He knew he'd be there for hours and 'you can't buy anything proper there'. Vending machines should be able to offer something to people such as him.
Diane - VIC

I agree that all vending machine food should be healthy. If we need to keep awake or get through a hard time at hospital then a healthy snack is going to do it more than chocolate. If sweets are on offer they should be ones that do not contain preservatives or additives (even natural colours, etc) as these effect certain people in an adverse way. It is also about what we are teaching our children. Let's teach them to make the right choices about food. Also suggest the gov't ban smoking outdoors at emergency dept's. I was at one recently and people were smoking outside. In my opinion that is just as big an issue as vending machine snacks.
Eileen - VIC

I find it annoying that in some hospital waiting rooms they have the sign that says 'do not eat until you have seen the doctor' right next to the vending machine. It's cruel when children need to fast before an operation and there are vending machines everywhere or there are people eating junk food nearby.
Anonymous