The NHS is inviting retailers to participate in a new health programme that could see consumers get discounts on their grocery shop as a reward for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The scheme, which is part of the Healthy New Town Programme, was chosen as the winning design in a competition designed to relieve pressure on the National Health Service and encourage more people to eat well and exercise regularly.

London-based Citiesmode and its vision for Halton Lea impressed judges from NHS England and, as a result, could be rolled out to other new towns across the country. 

Mel Pickup, ceo of Warrington & Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The trust has long championed a vision of being at the heart of the community through a modern, smaller acute hospital with integrated primary, wellbeing, community and social care support functions all working together around the needs of the patient and the community.  We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to do something truly transformational for our population.”

As part of the programme proposals, a new app will track the step count of people in the town and those who meet a weekly step quota could be offered discounts at their local conveneience store or supermarket.

Retailers can register their interest in the scheme by using the following email address: england.healthynewtowns@nhs.net