The Southern District Health Board is developing a policy on the sale of sugary drinks on its premises, but won't say whether a ban is being considered.
This comes after it was revealed earlier this week by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull the council was investigating a ban on sugary drinks on its premises after meeting the man who championed bans at the Nelson City and Marlborough District councils.
SDHB patient services director Lexie O'Shea said in a statement a draft position statement and policy on the provision of healthy food and beverages on DHB premises had been developed, but she did not say what it contained.
''This is currently going through our DHB sign-off process, which is expected to be completed by mid-April 2015.
''The position statement and policy covers the provision of sugary drinks sold on DHB premises,'' she said.
On further questioning, a DHB spokeswoman said it would not go into any detail about the policy, including whether it included the option of banning sugary drinks.
The board also declined to comment on whether it supported the Dunedin City Council banning sugary drinks on its premises, saying it was not in a ''position to comment further until we have completed our process''.
