Hospital catering survey shows patient dissatisfaction

The quality of hospital catering remains patchy, according to a survey of more than 2,200 patients released today.

The ‘Food Watch' survey, conducted by the Patient and Public Involvement Forum, revealed that more than a third of respondents had left a meal because it looked, smelled or tasted unappetising.

It also revealed that more than one in five of patients questioned were given meals that were not warm enough or were too hot, while 18% didn't get the choice of meal they wanted.

More than 25% reported they are not receiving the help they need to eat their meals, while 40% had their hospital meals supplemented by food brought in by visitors.

Sharon Grant, chair of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, said: "We will be sending the results to health secretary Patricia Hewitt, in the hope that she can do for hospital food what Jamie Oliver did for school meals."

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By Daniel Thomas

E-mail your comments to Daniel Thomas](mailto:daniel.thomas@rbi.co.uk?subject=Hospital catering survey shows patient dissatisfaction) here.

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