P-04-663 Food in Welsh Hospitals
P-04-663 Food in Welsh Hospitals
This
petition was submitted by Rachel Flint having collected 40 signatures
Text of the Petition
We
the undersigned call on the Welsh Government to examine the standards of food
in hospitals in Wales. Each health board's provision must be investigated to
ensure it is fit for purpose for patients, those with dietary needs and medical
conditions, and impose standards across the whole of the Welsh NHS. Hospital
food should be nutritious, fresh and be a major part of a patient's care
package and road to recovery – not make things worse. Dietary needs must be
catered for – such as gluten free, lactose intolerant, Celiac, vegetarian and
vegan – experience shows this is not currently the case and patients are often
made to feel awkward. Food tailored for medical conditions – including those
who suffer from bowel conditions or have had surgery – must be standardised, to
ensure patients are getting the right nutrition at all times. Currently
patients on some wards are being fed all the same food regardless of their
conditions, weight and dietary needs – this is not acceptable and can be
upsetting and potentially damaging. Hospitals should not rely on relatives to
bring in food, eat the same bland meal every day, or allow patients to waste
away if they can't have any of the food on offer. Nutrition must be a key part
of every patient's care package. We are not asking for Michelin Star quality,
just meals that help rather than hinder.
Additional Information
My
experiences of food in the NHS have shown that the standards vary across wards,
hospitals and departments, as well as between England and Wales. The problem is
not in Wales alone - as I find providing meals for those on low res or with
dietary conditions is something the NHS as a whole struggles to deal with. But
my experience in Wales recently showed that the standards are not up to
scratch. There were no menus (as in Chester and other English hospitals) and
patients were all fed the same regardless of their condition, weight or dietary
needs. On one ward people who had just had bowel surgery were offered curry,
lentil soup and tuna sweetcorn sandwiches which was totally inappropriate - and
potentially damaging. At times the situation was that if you couldn't eat
anything on the trolley or were not at your bed, you simply didn't eat, unless
a nurse made some toast. This has to change; without the right nutrition I
believe people are in hospital longer.
Assembly Constituency and
Region
• Cardiff South and Penarth
• South Wales Central
Business type: Petition
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
Status: Deleted
First published: 07/01/2016