Hospital staff say patient meals not fit to eat

More than half of hospital staff in England wouldn’t eat food served to patients because it’s unhealthy and of poor quality, according to a survey by UNISON published today (Wednesday). Many NHS employees and those working for private firms, including nurses, porters and those in administrative roles, also reveal nutritious meals aren’t available to buy at work, especially when on night shifts. No free drinking water, poor food-preparation facilities or meals unsuitable for their dietary or religious needs were among other top complaints from more than 300 staff across England. The findings highlight the failure of the NHS to ensure hospital vending machines, restaurants and shops provide decent quality, nutritious meals. Staff also complain they are unable to heat up and prepare food on site, according to UNISON. The issue of food in hospitals and meal options for staff is being discussed at UNISON’s annual health conference in Bournemouth this week. Half of respondents (50%) thought meals were neither nutritious nor good quality, while slightly more (53%) said they wouldn’t eat food prepared for patients. Another major concern was the lack of healthy, inexpensive food and drink options for employees. Nearly a third (32%) said on-site vending machines sold no nutritious snacks. Similar complaints were made of restaurants (16%) and shops (16%). More than one in ten (12%) said they had no access to free drinking water and more than a quarter (28%) that they could not...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: News Press release health conference NHS Sara Gorton Source Type: news