Published date: 23 December 2019
NHS review into hospital food: Take the patient survey
140 million meals are served to hospital patients every year, with varying levels of quality and nutritional value.
We are delighted to be a part of a panel commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care to undertake a “root and branch” review of the food provided in NHS facilities for patients, visitors and staff.
As part of this review, please share this survey with your patients so we can gather their opinions.
The group, which draws membership from a wide range of organisations including NHSE and NHSI, Food Standards Agency, Public Health, DEFRA, Soil Association and NHS Sustainable Development Unit, are asked to make recommendations on:
- Assurances that food provided in the NHS is safe, recognising the unique risks of NHS patients
- Extending and improving food choices and provision of healthy food for patients, visitors and staff, with the intent of improving public health generally
- Systems to provide reporting on food quality and safety that Trust Boards can be measured against
- Funding required to improve and then maintain food safety and quality
- The best methods of providing food services locally – on-site preparation or insourced, fresh or frozen etc
- Assurance that NHS food is planned in a sustainable manner, and in particular, reduction of food waste Production of a new “Food Guidance” document for the NHS that brings all of the above together
Martin Steele, Chief Operating Officer, NHS Property Services who sits on the panel, commented: "The wellbeing of patients while they’re in hospital is of the utmost importance and that includes the nutritional care that they receive. It’s been very interesting to be involved in the discussions thus far and I look forward to sharing the results and driving change for the better."
To assist with the review, the panel asked the Patients Association to collect patients' opinions and experiences of hospital catering. We are therefore asking our customers to share this survey with their patients so that their voice is heard. It won't take any longer than five minutes.
The results of the review will be published in early 2020.
