FOOD WATCH SURVEY OF HOSPITAL CATERING

That this House believes the Food Watch Survey of Catering carried out by patient and public involvement forums at 97 hospitals across England highlights issues of national concern; is particularly concerned at the report's findings showing that a quarter of patients surveyed, including elderly and blind patients, said help with eating was not available when they needed it, causing them to miss meals, and over a third of patients had left meals because they looked, smelt or tasted unappetising; notes that good nutrition and the environment in which the food is served are essential to patients' recovery but, despite a series of initiatives, poor food is still of major concern to patients; and calls on the Government to show real commitment to bringing the quality of food in all hospitals up to the standard of the best.