Campaign reply - NHS staff deserve access to a decent meal while at work!

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about catering for NHS staff in hospitals

I would like to thank our NHS staff for their tireless work to support patients day and night. I appreciate the commitment of campaigners in ensuring they have access to good catering and self-catering facilities. 

The Independent Hospital Food Review, published in October 2020, made a number of recommendations to improve standards of catering in Hospitals in England. This included the suggestion that hospitals provide “appropriate facilities to support patients and staff to eat well 24/7 when in the hospital environment.”

In addition, the Review recommended that if it is not be possible for hospitals to provide catering or restaurant facilities over 24 hours, staff must still have access to appropriate facilities to safely store, prepare and eat their own meals and hot drinks at any time of day and night.

An expert panel of NHS caterers, dieticians and nurses are currently leading work to review the recommendations. This includes revising the NHS Food and Drink Standards to improve the availability of hot and cold food and drink, 24 hours a days on healthcare sites.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.