NHS accused of wasting ?27m on uneaten hospital food

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Northerner

Northerner

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Type 1
The number of NHS hospital meals that were left uneaten rose above nine million in 2011-12, according to a survey. The wasted food cost the NHS ?27m with the worst trusts reporting more than a quarter of meals returned.

Data analysis specialists SSentif, who conducted the research, said the high number of meals being returned suggested the Government's Protected Mealtimes Initiative – under which wards are kept free of visitors and non-essential activities to ensure patients get the food they need – is failing.

The survey of 200 NHS hospitals and mental health trusts has revealed widespread over-ordering and inefficiency, with the result that the cost of wasted food is continuing to rise.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...ing-27m-on-uneaten-hospital-food-8439175.html

The figures show wide variations in the amount spent on patient meals between NHS trusts, ranging from ?2.19 a day to ?18.14.
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Blimey, wonder what they are feeding them for ?18 a day? 😱 I don't spend that in a week!
 
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It would help if it wasn't inedible really I expect? Plus they've stopped the patient ordering, it's all very Wood and Walters now; Is it on the trolley?
 
trophywench said:
It would help if it wasn't inedible really I expect? Plus they've stopped the patient ordering, it's all very Wood and Walters now; Is it on the trolley?
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Really? When I was diagnosed you ordered the food and it was all really good - I actually wrote to the catering manager to congratulate her! 🙂 Apparently the contract has been outsourced now though and the food is now dreadful!
 
NHS food= unsuitable for anyone and unhealthy, in my limited experience
The few meals I have had have been unbalanced, lack of fresh veg, too little protein, generally too based on refined carbs ( but overall small portions would mean an insulin user on fixed doses might conversely not be getting enough carbs)
James May did a programme on reforming the situation and although I like him generally I was not impressed. Virtually raw omelettes ( ok I know the salmonella risk is overstated but I prefer my eggs cooked), pasta and sticky toffee pudding. What proportion of inpatients are overweight or diabetic and having problems with their blood sugars either due to illness. stress/ inactivity or hospital staff not giving complete freedom re self adjustment of insulin.
Where were the salads and vegetables?
 
Step daughter Mk 2 had viral meningitis and was kept in, unsurprisingly. However she was free to roam wherever and ate in the (public) cafe ........ I saw some of the lumps of gristle that was supposed to be the hospital food for their patients, I absolutely DREAD EVER having to be an inpatient, ever again, and the cafe seldom have anything suitable - nearly all chips and pies and beans and cakes, don't think they know either of the words green or fresh .....

This is a major, University hospital in a large city ......
 
James Martin's program where he changed a hospital catering was very impressive - I wonder if it's still going strong, he used the staff/visitors restaurant (fresh soup and baguettes) to help fund the patient kitchen.
 
Vicsetter said:
James Martin's program where he changed a hospital catering was very impressive - I wonder if it's still going strong, he used the staff/visitors restaurant (fresh soup and baguettes) to help fund the patient kitchen.
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Yes, I think it was St James (Jimmy's) in Leeds. I'll have a look and see if I can find out what happened 🙂
 
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