Prue Leith called in to overhaul hospital food
Ministers have launched a review of NHS hospital food, with Prue Leith, The Great British Bake Off judge, brought in to overhaul menus. Leith, a vocal critic of the fare served on wards, has been asked to tackle the issue 30 years after she was brought in to transform the food served on Britain’s railways. She once warned that vulnerable patients were being asked to survive on “unidentifiable grey mush” and “sweaty cheese” while recuperating.
MINISTERS have launched a review of NHS hospital food, with Prue Leith, The Great British Bake Off judge, brought into overhaul menus.
Leith, a vocal critic of the fare served on wards, has been asked to tackle the issue 30 years after she was brought in to transform the food served on Britain’s railways.
She once warned that vulnerable patients were being asked to survive on “unidentifiable grey mush” and “sweaty cheese” while recuperating. Research suggests more than 7,000 tons of NHS meals end up in the bin every year.
Ministers said the “root and branch” review would establish quality standards for food and examine whether catering should be brought in-house.
It follows the deaths of six patients who contracted listeria from pre-packaged sandwiches and salads at NHS hospitals. The review will also consider whether kitchens can be altered to attract more chefs into hospitals as well as sourcing local fresh produce.
Leith said: “Millions of pounds are wasted in hospitals with food ending up in the bin, unpalatable food being the main complaint. I’m delighted that, at long last, Downing Street and the Department of Health have decided to do something about it.
“A hospital meal should be a small highlight, a little pleasure and comfort, and it should help, not hinder, the patient’s recovery.”
The restaurateur was brought in by British Rail in the Eighties to overhaul its sandwiches and she introduced wholemeal bread to the fare on offer.
The NHS review will examine the quality of the 140 million meals provided to patients each year, as well as staff meals.
Boris Johnson said: “Since entering Downing Street, my focus has been clear – to make sure our world-class NHS has everything it needs to continue providing the very best front-line care. Guaranteeing hospitals serve nutritional, tasty and fresh meals will not only aid patient recovery, but also fuel staff and visitors as they care for loved ones and the vulnerable.
“Our NHS has led the way since the day it was formed. This review will ensure it remains the standard-bearer for healthy choices as it works unstintingly to improve the nation’s well-being.”
Matt Hancock, the health and social care secretary, said: “We all know how important the food we eat is to our health. We have a duty to ensure this same level of attention is given to food served to patients in hospital, our brilliant NHS staff working tirelessly for patients – and indeed to visitors.
“When people are in hospital, they should be given all the help possible to get better – and that includes food. I’m determined patients enjoy the best, most delicious and nutritious food to help them recover and leave hospital quickly. I’m delighted we’ve assembled a first-rate group to drive this agenda. I have seen how using fresh, locallysourced ingredients and cooking from scratch have improved the quality of their meals and I want to help more hospitals follow suit by sharing what works best across the country.”
The review will be chaired by Philip Shelley, former head of the Hospital Caterers Association and catering lead for Taunton and Somerset NHS trust. Hospital caterers and patient groups will also be involved in the review.