Viridian-commissioned film highlights opportunity for ‘social prescribing’

A TV doctor, specialist health food store and industry body feature prominently in a film created for Viridian Nutrition on bringing lifestyle medicine to the mainstream.

Created in partnership with the College of Medicine and ITN Productions, the film – introduced by national newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky – explores social prescribing and looks at organizations who are innovating within the fields of sustainable healthcare.

The five-minute film sponsored by UK-based supplement specialist Viridian, called Getting Nutritional Advice from Health Food Shops, shows Dr Sara Kayat, a practising GP at Grays Inn Medical Practice, London, along with Ray Hill, Health Food Institute secretary, and Andrea Parsons from G Baldwin & Co being interviewed in London on how health food stores assist with lifestyle medicine, health and wellbeing and dietary changes. Viridian’s own technical director Aimée Benbow also discusses education and training of health food store staff.

Commenting on the launch of the video, Viridian’s founder and MD Cheryl Thallon, said: “We believe that specialist independent health food stores are best placed to give lifestyle medicine advice. Our stockists are well trained and have the time and ability to recommend the right diet and lifestyle choices and appropriate supplements with intelligence and kindness and can offer follow-up attention.”

HFI Certificate holder, Parsons, agreed to speak as a case study in the film and describes how her HFI qualification gives her added confidence in helping customers. Baldwin & Co has signed the HFI Protocol.

The five-minute film was launched at the College of Medicine conference in London on 6 November and is being distributed by the College of Medicine directly to all members and partners.