Water for health

Citation

(2006), "Water for health", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 36 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2006.01736eab.013

Water for health

Water for health

Two new key Alliance members join the work to improve hydration, Sport Relief 2006 has water at its heart; water as a basic nutrient; tap water at conferences and bottled water in Governments; community initiatives from regional water companies.

Royal College of Nursing join Alliance

Building on the Water for Health Alliance work to improve hydration in NHS hospitals, we are delighted to advise that the Royal College of Nursing have now joined the group, and they will be active in building and promoting the message of good hydration to patients and to staff. The RCN represents nurses and nursing, promotes excellence in practice and shapes health policies. They lobby governments and others to develop and implement policy that improves the quality of patient care, and builds on the importance of nurses, health care assistants and nursing students to health outcomes. Provision of fresh drinking water is an important part of their approach to good health and nutrition, and RCN believe water can contribute positively to patient recovery. www.rcn.org.uk

Consumer Council for Water join Alliance

The Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) has joined the Water for Health Alliance, bringing with them very welcome direct representation for the many consumers in England and Wales. CC Water is independent of both the water industry and its regulators, and its Chair is respected health professional, Dame Yve Buckland. CC Water advise that “Water is a valuable and precious health resource for society, and having water on tap - a safe, secure, reliable supply of water - is absolutely essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and a wholesome diet”. CCWater are very active in ensuring that customers are empowered with the information they need, to be able to demand the best value from their water suppliers. They advise that “Helping consumers to recognise the important health benefits of their water supply, and promoting the significance of remaining well hydrated throughout the day is central to this work.” www.ccwater.org.uk

Water a key partner of Sport Relief 2006

The 2006 Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile is about to be launched by the BBC and Comic Relief, supported by many of the UK's top celebrities, sports stars and comedians. As part of the Water for Health work, the UK water industry has joined together to become a partner to the event, and tap water is now the official drink of this high profile occasion. In 2004, 81,000 people donned a single red sock and took part in the first ever Comic Relief led Sport Relief Mile. It incorporated 14 national and 125 local events, raised = A316 million, involved 253 celebrities and attracted 8.2 million viewers to the Sport Relief programme on the BBC. The people who went the extra mile on the day included Prince William, and Prince Harry, Prime Minister Tony Blair, Sir Steve Redgrave, Jonathan Ross, Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, Frank Bruno, Chris Moyles, Rachel Stevens, Gordon Ramsay, Jo Brand and many, many more. This year's Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile will be even bigger, with 15 BBC televised events across the UK, 200,000 registered participants and UK wide support from personalities. Water and all the positive health messages of good hydration will be featured prominently in the Promotional material, water companies will provide fresh tap water to each televised flagship event, tap water will be provided to the related TV programmes such as Ready Steady Cook, Blue Peter and A Question of Sport Relief and the health benefits of drinking water will be endorsed by high profile celebrities who have fully backed the work to improve the nations health. Past beneficiaries of funds raised by Sport Relief have included Water for Health Alliance members WaterAid and Action on Elder Abuse. www.sportrelief.com

Scottish Water leap the water hurdle

Lee McConnell, the UK's number one four hundred metre sprinter is backing the Scottish Water “On Tap” campaign for Scots to drink more tap water. Underlining the importance of drinking enough water, she advises “As I have a degree in Sports Science and Nutritional Management I am very aware of what is and isn't good for me. Drinking the right amount of water helps keep you hydrated and keep concentration and energy levels at their peak. Drinking water is so important to everyone, but as an athlete it's vital. Your muscles need to be well hydrated at all times to make sure they function properly and when you're training and sweating you need to make sure that you replace the fluid you're losing. But, you don't have to train like a professional athlete to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Everyone can help boost their memory and energy levels with the turn of the tap.” http://www.scottishwater.co.uk

“Wise up on Water”

medical evidence leaflets now available direct Water for Health Alliance members have been contacting Water UK recently to ask how they can get printed copies of the “Wise up on Water” leaflets, and also the brand new Hydration Best Practice Toolkit for Care Homes to use at their conferences, meetings and to support their policy work. Having investigated the requirements of the Alliance, Water UK has developed two methods of obtaining the literature. All documents are now available to download free of charge from the Alliance website www.waterforhealth.org.uk/ and conference teams can simply download what they need for delegate packs, meetings etc.

Water Aid “Drink More Water” Campaign

Committed Water for Health Alliance supporters, Water Aid, are continuing to raise the profile of the important links between good hydration and good health through their “Drink More Water” campaign. The excellent initiative is actively encouraging UK companies to promote tap water provision for the health of their employees in the workplace, and to use that educational platform to raise money for those who have no safe water provision at all. In support of the latest part of this campaign, Bodyshop founder Anita Roddick says “Water is elemental, life-giving and sustaining. It flows out of our taps so easily that we rarely give it a second thought, yet many of us do not drink enough. Water really does help you at work, rest and play - for our health and beauty what could be simpler than to drink more water?” The developing WaterAid work can be seen www.wateraid.org/uk/get

NHS Direct hydration advice on line

The NHS internet and telephone advice service has increased its advice on the subject of hydration www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

NHS Good Practice in Continence Services

For carers, incontinence is sometimes the last straw and is often a major reason for the breakdown of the caring relationship which can then lead to admission to residential or nursing home care. Often dehydration can play a major part and increase the likelihood of soiling incidents, as concentrated and highly acidic urine is expelled automatically by the body. NHS has issued its latest guidance for best practice in continence care and it reinforces the important role of the “Availability of accessible, clean, fresh-water drinking facilities” The full information is available from the NHS response line 0541 555 455.

Scotland increase water provision for oral health

In its Action Plan for improving oral health and modernising NHS dental services, the Scottish Executive has again increased its focus on healthy fluids and its expectations are that by 2007 NHS and Local Authorities should expand oral health programmes to ensure that “All schools have supporting healthy eating and drinking (water) policies”. The Executive have already increased children's access to fresh drinking water by 600 per cent, and have funded improved water facilities through increases in the school meal funding system. Further information on the guidance can be seen by ordering ISBN 0-7559-4557-8.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister swing to tap

Just before Christmas, the ODPM/MITIE launched a re-usable bottle scheme for the water provided at official Government meetings. General guidance within Government offices is now to move away from bottled water, although while this particular scheme has both financial and environmental benefits, ODPM has recently advised their staff that these are not being met because bottles are going missing or are not being returned after use. Details of the scheme can be obtained from Andy Barnes andy.barnes@odpm.gsi.gov.uk

Netherlands say “Neau” to expensive bottled water

Sold as an empty bottle, that requires the buyer to fill it up from their own tap, there is a new brand of water in the Netherlands that is rapidly making a name for itself. Neau is positioning itself explicitly against the bottled mineral water trend by advertising the fact that Netherlands tap water is of renowned and excellent quality; and tastes good. And that is exactly the crux of Neau, says Menno Liauw, of Amsterdam-based advertising bureau Vandejong and Stichting Neau (the Neau Foundation). “Neau is being sold in empty bottles that you can fill with drinking water, over and over, as often as you like,” he explains. The Neau brand has a dual effect: It makes people conscious of the worldwide water problem, and its revenues are spent in drinking water projects in underdeveloped countries in Africa, Vietnam, Peru, and other poor parts of the world. These drinking water projects are being coordinated by well-known Dutch charity organizations like Unicef Nederland and Plan Nederland, with whom Neau cooperates. Neau is being sold in the form of a firm, clear blue plastic bottle at the price of regular mineral water. However, the bottle is empty. Instead of water it contains a rolled-up Neau flyer, a message in a bottle that explains Neau's position. Liauw explains. “When you drink a bottle of Neau,” he continues. “You indirectly provide a refugee camp in Sudan with seventeen litres of clean drinking water.”

Tap water offered at all future conferences?

Following a recommendation from the last Water for Health Alliance meeting, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, UKPHA, Water UK and an active Primary Care Trust are now working together to develop guidance for conference organisers to have fresh, iced tap water served at conferences. Many organisers have either been pressured in to buying large volumes of bottled water, or have simply felt they do not have the option of tap at large commercial venues. In practice many venues are very happy to meet the needs of their clients as long as they fully understand what is required of them, and the implications of not simply providing pre packaged water. Where venues do not offer tap water, or advise that they can not, a little effort can see this turned round. Campaigner of the month award goes to UKPHA Chief Executive and Water for Health Alliance supporter Angela Mawle for an incredible job in getting tap water supplied across their huge national conference in Telford recently. In the face of many dubious objections by the venue owners, Angela pursued the point on the grounds of sustainability, good hydration and the protection of public health - and eventually had the entire event served with iced tap water. Angela has inspired us all to build “iced tap water” into our conference contracts from the start and insist on it at the point before we place the order.

Fresh water for delegates at Bournemouth Care Conference

Following an invitation from Alliance members, the National Association of Care Catering, Water UK spoke on the importance of hydration at the Care Home Conference and local water supplier Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water provided a tap water tasting for all the delegates. Fresh tap water was consumed in large quantities and received excellent feedback on the taste, as the Bournemouth Water Company innovatively served it to delegates directly within the main auditorium. The team encouraged people to adopt water as part of healthy nutrition and offered side servings of freshly prepared strawberry's, pineapple, oranges and melon. www.bwhwater.co.uk

Thames Water bring hydration to older people in Nunhead

Thames Water have been working in partnership with Age Concern Southwark to promote the Nunhead Healthy Ageing Centre to people living in the local area. At a recent launch event, Thames hosted an open day, inviting local residents aged 55 and over to attend activities including exercise classes, a sing along with the Pearly King and a “talk and walk” presentation by the Southwark Primary Health Care Trust aimed at promoting the benefits of walking for exercise. Water was made available throughout the day and local residents were given encouragement to take on board the health benefits of drinking more fluid. The main aim of the open day was to encourage people to make greater use of the valuable services provided by Age Concern, and to raise awareness of the importance of healthy ageing, in particular the benefits of drinking water for good hydration. www.thameswater.co.uk

Top Chef says “water is an important part of nutrition”

Top chef and restaurateur Anthony Worrall Thompson has agreed to support the objectives of the Water for Health Alliance, and has kindly given the work a supporting statement to help encourage people to ask for tap water when the eat in restaurants and cafes. He advises that “The way we give our customer's an enjoyable dining experience is to give them what they want - we wouldn't have any problem in serving fresh tap water in our restaurant, and we have done so for years. Water is an important part of good nutrition, and drinking enough each day is an essential ingredient for a healthy life”. Alliance members are working hard to give the public the knowledge and confidence they will need to simply ask for tap water with their meals, and to help overcome their beliefs that they will be frowned upon if they choose not to order bottled water. More supporting statements will follow as UK chefs endorse the health drive.

Nutrition for Life says “Get in to the habit of drinking water”

“Nutrition for Life”. In its pages it advises that water is an essential part of the diet, the best drink to quench thirst and that we all need to drink six to eight glasses of water each day, with more when it is hot or when we are exercising. The diet manual advises on the high quality of UK tap water and ensures that readers understand the importnace of water to the body. “Involved in every function of the body, water controls body temperature; gives you energy, assists in weight control....and is needed for all digestive, absorptive, circulatory and excretory functions”. ISBN 1-4053-0306-9 = 20.

Northern Ireland MP “flabbergasted” over bottled water bill

The Northern Ireland Office has landed itself in hot water after admitting spending a significant on bottled water in the last year.

Severn Trent aid bottle water purge at Council

Thanks to the Alliance members for the BBC report (20 February 2006) that a purge on lunch time perks at Gloucestershire County Council has so far seen the taxpayers' bill for county councillors' lunches' fall by two-thirds. Councillor Barry Dare, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said the drop was thanks to several measures introduced by the Tory administration. “Since the Conservatives took control we have banned free lunches for councillors and are looking to change council rules to prevent councillors claiming expenses for lunches. We are also working on replacing bottled water with tap water at council meetings - which should save even more money.” Director of customer relations at the water provider Jonathan Bailey said using tap water saved the taxpayer thousands. “It would cost 73p a year for a person to drink eight glasses of Severn Trent water a day.”

Oh! Sushi

An observant Alliance member sent in this web consumer feedback contribution criticising the well known Sushi Company for its bottled water charges in restaurants. The clearly irritated customer advised “The food was fair value for money. What infuriated me was that you charge for still or carbonated filtered tap water. I didn't see that there was a charge, until I came to pay the bill. If I went into a restaurant and asked for a jug of tap water I would not pay for it under any circumstances”.

Ofsted on Healthy Eating in Schools

As preparation for a major survey of food in schools to be carried out in 2006/07, Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools (HMI), accompanied by nutritionists appointed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), undertook a small scale survey, including visits to ten schools from clusters of primary and secondary schools in three local authorities. It notes the success of introducing drinking water in to the top performing schools, but fails to draw the obvious conclusions in its summary. The report also fails to link the expectation of the Secretary of State that free, fresh water should be provided, with the fact that in many schools it is simply not available. Additional evidence was gathered from over 50 reports of school inspections that had been conducted under the new framework for inspection, from reports on personal, social and health education (PSHE) and from reports on schools visited as part of a survey on learners. health and well-being. The report assesses how schools have responded to guidance on school meals and healthier eating. It uses case studies as examples of how schools have improved pupils' healthier eating and the quality of school meals

Primary Schools www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications

Food Technology in Secondary Schools www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications

Parliamentary Questions on water in the schools

Paul Burstow MP has asked the Secretary of State for Education and Skills: pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2005, Official Report, column 2,074 W, on drinking water, whether she plans to issue guidance to schools on drinking water provision in relation to the aims of her healthy schools policy. Jacqui Smith responded: In order to keep properly hydrated throughout the day, children need access to water at school. The promotion of good hydration is included within the Government's Food in Schools programme (www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAnd SocialCareTopics/FoodInSchools), which supports the National Healthy Schools Standard (www.wiredforhealth.gov.uk). It advises that good quality drinking water should be available to pupils throughout the day and not from taps or drinking fountains located in toilet areas (http://foodinschools.datacenta.uk.net

Care Directions

Care Directions has written to advise the Alliance that, as an internet's guide to care and the rights of older people, they are now publishing the hydration message for older people. They say that gradual, steady loss of body water is a factor of ageing and older people do become dehydrated more easily. Dehydration can then be a major complicating factor of illness and can have a negative effect upon recovery prospects. Fear of the likelihood of urinary incontinence and the need for visits to the toilet, will also mean that many older people will be reluctant to drink as much as they should. This frame of mind is, of course, made worse when diuretic medications (“water tablets”) have been prescribed. Care Directions advise that whatever the reluctance to drink, the effort really must be made. Water intake is vital, as dehydration can result in illness, mental confusion, and can speed the ageing process generally. Care Directions recommend that older people should drink at least eight cups of fluids a day. It is worth noting that tea, coffee, fizzy drinks or worse, alcohol, actually contain dehydrating agents. They advise older people that for every alcoholic drink you consume, you will lose the same volume of water from your body. www.caredirections.co.uk

Water related malnutrition in care

Water for Health Alliance members, The English Community Care Association, has welcomed the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's latest guideline on tackling malnutrition in the NHS, but wants to ensure that there is a properly co-ordinated approach between NICE and CSCI who are the body responsible for regulating care services. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the National Collaborating Centre for Acute Care have launched a clinical guideline to help the NHS identify patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. It recommends that all people in care homes should be screened on admission and when there is clinical concern. It also recommends that all healthcare professionals who are directly involved in patient care should receive education and training on the importance of providing adequate nutrition. ECCA advised NICE that the training and education could benefit from the hydration toolkit for care homes produced by the Alliance. The toolkit provides fact sheets, checklists and advice to enable care homes to improve water consumption with older people and care home staff. ECCA said “ECCA members strive to provide high quality care and nutritious food. Malnutrition is a complex issue and although the NICE guideline is welcome, it is essential that CSCI inspectors have the relevant training and experience to examine malnutrition on a case by case basis rather than a statistical basis which may not allow for differing circumstances”.

Fresh tasting water

Three Valleys Water Company has advised us of their guide to ensuring that the public in their region continue to get great tasting tap water. Keep your water tasting fresh covers everything from household plumbing to chilling water in the fridge. www.3valleys.co.uk/pdf/water_tasting_fresh.pdf