FIT TO EAT GUIDELINES ON HOSPITAL FOOD FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER

That this House is concerned that children and young people with cancer are sometimes offered food in hospital which is unappetising and unresponsive to their needs; considers food and nutrition to be vital to these children and young people who need to keep up their immunity from infection, whose taste buds change as a result of chemotherapy, and who will be in hospital for some time; notes with concern that a survey of families by the children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent shows that a majority of families saw their food spending increase while their child was undergoing cancer treatment and that 77 per cent. of respondents described hospital food negatively; welcomes CLIC Sargent's new Fit to Eat guidelines for hospitals; and calls on the Government to renew its commitment to improve hospital food and ensure that all children with cancer are served food in hospital which is fit to eat.