Health promotion--a focus for hospitals

A hospital is in a unique position, both as a service provider and an employer, to provide a focus for disease prevention and health maintenance based on a greater understanding of the relationship between social and physical environment and lifestyle factors on health. Developing hospitals to become a resource for health instead of merely another link in the sick-care chain requires a substantial change in philosophy, management and practice. Reaching out into the community, establishing new and different relationships with consumers, and creating an environment conducive to healthy behaviour are only some of the changes necessary to reflect a health promotion focus. This paper discusses the experiences of establishing, developing and maintaining health promotion services at Flinders Medical Centre.