Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has introduced a hands-free Elkay bottle refill station for the main entrance of Westmead Hospital, with the support of Sydney Water and Civiq.
The ‘Make Healthy Normal’ initiative was launched by NSW Health in mid 2017 as a framework to make consumers aware of lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk factors of obesity and chronic diseases.
Part of this initiative involves inspiring people to replace sugary, unhealthy beverages with tap water, as means of energising the body and preventing weight gain.
This strategy has been reinforced by the NSW Government, which announced it would be the first state in Australia to remove sugary drinks from its hospitals and health facilities.
Westmead hospital has joined in the cause by increasing access to user-friendly drinking water stations for patients, visitors and staff.
Whilst promoting hydration, they also wanted to encourage reusable water bottles to help reduce the environmental impact of plastic in landfill.
Civiq backed this initiative by donating an Elkay EZH2O Auto-Sensor In-wall Bottle Filling Station, a space-saving and wheelchair-accessible solution for busy hospital foyers.
The station features an elegant fully recessed in-wall design with custom graphics panels to allow the ‘Make Healthy Normal’ branding to be displayed – also brightening up the hospital corridors.
The no-touch auto sensor activation delivers a quick fill rate of water through an anti-microbial bottle refill nozzle, for a hygienic user experience.
Users can also see the number of bottle saved from waste by the Green Ticker LED display, which offers a reminder of how refilling a water bottle is benefiting the environment.
The drinking water station was unveiled in a special ribbon cutting ceremony in mid July 2018, with representatives from Westmead Hospital, Sydney Water and Civiq.
Reema Randhawa, Westmead Staff Member and Ambassador for the Healthy Eating and Drinking Framework, and her family, had the honour of opening the drinking water station to the public.
“I saw a broadcast about the initiative, and thought it would be a good opportunity to teach my kids about the benefits of healthy food and drink at home”, explains Reema.
“If I change my habits, my kids will follow – that’s how my initiative started”
“Creating good habits in my kids for when they grow up will help to tackle obesity in Western Sydney”, she said.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, members of the Westmead Redevelopment team handed out free drink bottles to patients and visitors.
WSLHD is looking to continue its drinking water amenities across its local health district, particularly in Westmead Hospital, with plans to introduce its next Elkay unit in the clinic waiting room of the Cancer Care Centre.
