The Heartbeat Award for caterers: experiences of health professionals involved

The Heartbeat Award for caterers was launched in 1990 by the Health Education Authority. Key management responsibility was transferred from national to local level in 1992. The study reported here was carried out in 1994 to provide an assessment of the award scheme following transfer to local management. Postal questionnaires were sent to every chief environ mental health officer, health promotion officer and dietitian in England; 380 responses were received. Local management was viewed as facilitating flexibility and ownership, but barriers to effective implementation were also identified. The Heartbeat Award was seen as an important component of local health promotion, but doubts were expressed about its efficacy in reaching target groups. Findings are discussed in terms of the wider implications for health promotion.