Commenting on figures* released by the Campaign for Better Hospital Food into patient satisfaction with the quality of hospital food, Sara Gorton, UNISON Deputy Head of Health, said:
“Giving patients healthy, fresh more tempting food is an essential part of speeding up recovery. While costs vary, it is plain that food cooked fresh on hospital premises scores the highest with patients.
“UNISON is backing calls for set standards for hospital food in England. At the same time we want more hospitals to use kitchens to prepare and cook patient meals instead of bringing in ready-meals from outside.
“Hospitals can also play an important role in using public money to buy from local farms and suppliers boosting the local economy, rather than just trading with multi-national corporations.”
* NHS hospitals deliberately hiding patient dissatisfaction with food
