tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post4086486845724924432..comments2024-03-27T07:01:15.849+00:00Comments on Notes from a hospital bed: Let's make a changeTraction Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14130413914192627361noreply@blogger.comBlogger227125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-65220243178192294252011-02-24T21:20:15.726+00:002011-02-24T21:20:15.726+00:00Charming post Sian, not everyone eats junk and hig...Charming post Sian, not everyone eats junk and high fat food in fact the youth of today is far fatter and eat unhealthier than the youth of 20 years ago so you carry on thinking you will outlive middle aged people of today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-19188162017318972432011-02-24T11:02:50.893+00:002011-02-24T11:02:50.893+00:00Oh Sian... you are a sweetie :-)Oh Sian... you are a sweetie :-)Traction Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14130413914192627361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-1900676423715433002011-02-24T10:22:14.491+00:002011-02-24T10:22:14.491+00:00just returned to this thread now for a bit more of...just returned to this thread now for a bit more of a laugh. i really am loving this a lot. brilliant stuff! seeing you all so wound up is delightful. <br />Thanks to all my supporters along the way, unfortunately you were drowned out by the incessant babbling of middle aged and middle class people feeling a little bit threatened. You lot try to appear more mature in this thread but it comes across completely the opposite <br />but yes THANKYOU SO MUCH for giving me a good old laugh. The fact of the matter is that you guys will be gone in thirty years or so depending on how much high fat food and expensive wine you pour into your gullets and my generation (the generation that disagrees with your unstoppable wingeing) will be running the show and you'll have to beg us from your care homes for "slop" cause we will have tuned you out by thenSiannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-1438046860386955932011-02-22T22:11:06.088+00:002011-02-22T22:11:06.088+00:00Then visiting time would commence, usually as dinn...Then visiting time would commence, usually as dinners were late coming out onto the ward- although mealtimes were protected, we were often still feeding or even finding food for patients when visitors arrived on the ward. How can two or three nurses feed 17 patients, when others may need the toilet, others may be poorly, AND then update the relatives of the 17 patients that were eagerly waiting for progress reports around the nursing station? Sometimes the relatives were happy to assist in feeding their loved ones- and the ward welcomed relatives to come in and assist with this if required during protected meal times, we also encouraged relatives to bring in food that they knew the patient would eat and enjoy. <br />There are many forms and documents and assessments we have to complete as nurses (yet more time! How did we squeeze it all in to 13hours?!) These included nutritional risk assessments, fluid balance charts, food charts, and we did act on the risk assessments- if a patient flagged up as being at risk then we would refer to dieticians- but they would only accept patients with a certain risk score- and more often than not nursing staff would feel a patient was at risk but couldn’t refer because the dietetics simply didn’t have the staff to cope with the caseload! Hence the strict criteria.<br />I haven’t even mentioned the amount of patients that were at risk of injuring themselves or others, wandering around the ward, absconding even sometimes due to their dementia or Alzheimer’s! Why there isn’t a guideline like there is in nurseries where there is always a ratio of nursery nurses to children of a certain age- for example one nursery nurse to two 18month old children? Why don’t the NHS guidelines say that nurses should have a ratio of 1 to 2 for confused patients? Again this is another time pressure for the staff.......choice...Carry on feeding the patient who is bedbound and safe in bed, or chase after the patient suffering from dementia that is about to fall over or abscond off the ward to who knows where?! <br />It may sound like a Carry on film to some, or a horror story to others but this was a daily occurrence in my experience.<br />The whole NHS is in a mess. People forget that if they lived overseas, to even spend one night in hospital and receive medical attention would probably bankrupt a lot of people. The answer to the recovery of the NHS is simple- more money! More money would pay for more staff to deliver care, more equipment that is so desperately needed and better quality of the equipment, food or care!<br />Are people ungrateful for always moaning about the state of the NHS or staff within the trusts?<br />Speaking from personal experience, I have been verbally abused, intimidated and threatened by angry relatives, confused patients- not because of the care I have personally delivered, but because of the care I was unable to deliver- from anything as simple as not being able to provide a spoon for somebody because there simply was none available in the kitchen- to not having a personal pharmacy in my uniform pocket because pharmacy seem to take hours to dispense one box of paracetamol (that could have been purchased from a general chemist for less than a pound).<br />Are we spoiled? Why should we expect a perfect running system when we pay more or less nothing for it?!nurse kayleighnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-84328594482234872592011-02-22T22:10:46.836+00:002011-02-22T22:10:46.836+00:00You can tell by the negative responses , and remar...You can tell by the negative responses , and remarks like " NHS food is free", " people in poor countries would be gratefull" and general attacks .... That they themselves have not had the displeasure of experiencing NHS meals.<br /><br />NHS food is NOT free.. Why do you think we all pay National insurance and tax for eh ??<br /><br />I hope all you who have posted silly unrealistic and negative comments , do not have to go in to hospital and be served with vile slop.<br /><br />If it was not for the likes of Mark protesting , we would all be eating rice and dumpster fit contents.<br /><br />If it were not for anyone protesting and fighting , we would all be up s..t creek without a paddle.<br /><br /><br />Good on you Mark ,and we who visit your blog site since the beginning ,support you in your quest , behind you 100%.<br /><br />Ignore the ignorant , they are not worth responding to, they should take their rose tinted spectacles off now and then.<br /><br />More power to you Mark..xx<br /><br />Ness..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-56777079296878467762011-02-22T22:08:38.023+00:002011-02-22T22:08:38.023+00:00I am a nurse, previously worked at Heart Of Englan...I am a nurse, previously worked at Heart Of England NHS trust, have since moved to community nursing. <br />I would like to share my thoughts and experiences of working on an elderly care ward, which is the area I feel the whole care system- primary and secondary care, is failing in greatest.<br />Elderly care wards are very busy, in a 13 hour shift I would complete three drug rounds for 17 patients, assist or fully provide 17 washes/ bed baths and then complete at least two further care rounds, I would assist with breakfast, lunch and supper- both handing out meals and assisting patients to eat/ drink, complete 17 observations twice a day (and this is if the patients are stable and not 'poorly' in which case the observations could be required up to as often as every 30minutes- in between which I would be contacting Doctors and providing emergency care etc....and this isn't even taking into account answering 'buzzers' to toilet patients, provide drinks, talking to relatives chasing social matters and dealing with medical matters also, attending doctors ward rounds, team meetings to discuss and plan patient care....<br />For half a ward -17 patients (34 patients in the whole ward) our staffing should have been two trained nurses and two health care assistants (or 4 trained, 4 health care for the whole ward) we often worked with 1 trained and 1 or 2 health care’s to each 'wing' of 17 patients. <br />Although we were obviously busy providing even just the basic nursing care, I am proud to say the ward I worked on made the basic care a priority, when breakfasts, lunches, suppers came around all staff stopped what they were doing to assist in mealtimes and feed, and then to provide care rounds, toileting and washes etc also. Unfortunately I know this is not the case on some elderly care wards, and I admit there were days that took me an hour to provide a commode for a patient because I simply didn’t have the time, equipment or assistance (due to low staffing) that I should have had.<br />I encouraged my patients to complain formally if they were unhappy- whether it be lack of nursing care due to under staffing, meals they were not happy with, anything! <br />It seems that we are a complaining society and that nothing will be done about it until somebody or enough people either:<br />1. Complain about it or<br />2. A serious untoward incident arises from it.<br />These are some of the reasons I left the hospital. I found I was unable to provide the nursing care- basic nursing care!! That I wanted to, because of equipment shortages, staffing issues that meant I couldn’t spend enough time empowering patients to be independent with washing dressing, eating. I also found I was being forced to hand out meals to patients that they had not ordered, having to improvise meals to suit their need- i.e. puree meals because the catering department either had not received what was on the menu or that not enough food had came to the ward. Often I found that during handing out meals, only half of the patients (if that) got what they ordered because of this.<br />The pureed meals that came onto the ward looked and smelt revolting and many of the patients refused them, when we phoned down to catering to see if there were any alternatives, or even to ask for more food when we had run out of what the patients wanted, we rarely got anything of use sent up to the ward- whether this was due to the lack of stock they had or what I don’t know. <br />TO CONTINUE......Nurse Kayleighnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-73366824212604525422011-02-22T21:24:44.310+00:002011-02-22T21:24:44.310+00:00I noted from the film, that in an attempt to find ...I noted from the film, that in an attempt to find a solution to the problem of using Tillery Valley Foods, you interviewed and consultant who has been employed by the NHS buying authority. Pot, kettle and black come to mind, he may be the problem not the solution.<br />You also spoke to some one from the London School of Economics, I'm assuming he was an economist or an eternal optimist, he really should wake up and smell the coffee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-88157859811033196072011-02-22T21:19:55.684+00:002011-02-22T21:19:55.684+00:00To Richard Hales
I am not saying Sian's point...To Richard Hales<br /><br />I am not saying Sian's points or arguments should not be heard but abusive language negates their views in debate on any level.<br /><br />I was talking from my own recent experience of hospital food available to patients. I, however, can not validate what sexual frustration etc has to do with patient food or abusive language to others who are raising valid points. Sian lost the argument by swearing and rambling on about things<br /><br />I as an NHS staff member and a recent patient would like to see the standard of food changed for the better.<br /><br />There has been the issue of charging patients for their meals, I wonder how this would be paid and audited separately to departmental budgets and income etc as its a minefield as to how finance is run within the NHS.<br /><br />As to Anonymous at 20.48 your comment has been duly noted and discarded!!!Joolznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-89967607243097929892011-02-22T21:12:10.699+00:002011-02-22T21:12:10.699+00:00Traction Man
I wote on my first post that I compl...Traction Man<br /><br />I wote on my first post that I completely agree with your campaign. I also wrote that I am very pleased with fact that the elderly patients are being fed properly in Leighton Hospital. Hopefully this will now be rolled out across the hospital. I am not concerned about myself, I used the experience to back up my argument that the hospital isn't as great as you made it seem. <br /><br />I do hope that your programme will not have a negative effect on those wishing to complain about the nutrition and hydration of patients. I hope that the hospital will not now ignore complaints because they have your programme to fall back on. <br /><br />Thank you<br /><br />Disappointed PatientAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-64184711670748395322011-02-22T20:58:53.761+00:002011-02-22T20:58:53.761+00:00Disappointed patient
We were looking at Leighton ...Disappointed patient<br /><br />We were looking at Leighton from the point of view of feeding the elderly and how they were pioneering a new range of pureed foods for stroke and Alzheimers patients. We visited the hospital on three occasions. Twice to do research which was carried out by our assistant producer Margaret, and then I visited to do the filming, meet the patients and talk to staff. I couldn't possibly go to every ward and ask all the patients if they had any complaints. You obviously had a bad time but do you think all the other patients on the ward would agree or were some of them happy? I think you are being a bit unfair. You had a bad experience but many of the elderly patients I spoke to were very happy with their nursing treatment and their food. We did ask them on their own away from nursing staff so that they could feel free to speak their minds.Traction Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14130413914192627361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-75887136247450744132011-02-22T20:49:08.362+00:002011-02-22T20:49:08.362+00:00Traction Man
I lodged a complaint. I don't wa...Traction Man<br /><br />I lodged a complaint. I don't want you to say anything about my situation. I would have liked a more balanced report on the hospital. If you didn't have time for this, I understand but there was no "This is the situation in this ward but I haven't investigated into other wards and so can't make a balanced report". <br /><br />I can deal with my own situation, It concerned me that the hospital was seen in such a good light and I feel it could have knock on negative effects on people wishing to lodge complaints in the future. I wasn't asking you to explain my treatment in the hospital, that would be ridiculous, I was asking you why you would put a hospital as a whole in such a good light when research wasn't thorough enough.<br /><br />Many thanks<br /><br />Disappointed PatientAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-39058166362924706602011-02-22T20:48:32.585+00:002011-02-22T20:48:32.585+00:00haha this thread is hilarious!
survival of the fit...haha this thread is hilarious!<br />survival of the fittest<br />this joolz woman has been re catagorized to to extinct fifty pages ago...GO SIAN<br /><br />but i do think that NHS food is crapAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-41268257446931153382011-02-22T20:36:32.603+00:002011-02-22T20:36:32.603+00:00to anonymous: im sorry but if that was the case re...to anonymous: im sorry but if that was the case revolution would never occur, some people need to shout to be hear and i clearly read this girls argument on page one on her first post and although slightly outrageous she has her point, why should she be ignored? should traction man be ignored for being rude about the food in hospitals?<br /><br />Richard HalesRichard Hnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-21993017189606478632011-02-22T20:33:08.929+00:002011-02-22T20:33:08.929+00:00Disappointed Patient
What have you done so far ab...Disappointed Patient<br /><br />What have you done so far about taking up your complaints. It sounds like you had a very bad time. I only saw the elderly feeding programme and took a tour of the kitchen. I didn't visit the general wards when I was there. The kitchens seemed pretty good to me and the food didn't look too bad. IF the nurses neglected you then you have to lodge a complaint and really push hard. They need to know. That's really all I can say. I sympathise, I really do. I've been in those sort of situations,Traction Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14130413914192627361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-85763481787159447382011-02-22T20:32:21.470+00:002011-02-22T20:32:21.470+00:00Really appreciate that Traction Man and thanks for...Really appreciate that Traction Man and thanks for your reply. It just irritates me that people who think that abuse provides a good argument are listened to. I'm of the opinion that if you can't construct a decent adult argument without resorting to abuse you should quite frankly be ignored. <br /><br />Looking forward to your reply.<br /><br />P.S. my dad was in traction too, for 6 months, so I can't feel your pain at all but I can appreciate it.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Disappointed PatientAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-81758722555903606612011-02-22T20:27:39.036+00:002011-02-22T20:27:39.036+00:00Journalists report facts we don't offer soluti...Journalists report facts we don't offer solutions. Getting a solution to the problem of hospital food probably involves more competition. I explored this in the film. Did you miss it?Traction Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14130413914192627361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-79680963527051364002011-02-22T20:25:04.647+00:002011-02-22T20:25:04.647+00:00hi traction man
i disagree with your documentary u...hi traction man<br />i disagree with your documentary unfortunately, you argue the points of bad food but offer no solution to fix it. Bad analysis really. i expected more from dispatches.<br />Joolz - maybe you should take a step back and realize that Sian has some valid points and has the right to voice her concerns just as much as i do, the comments were never aimed toward you but you made it to do with you and you call her attention seeking. I side with this young girl on this, and you really have no right in questioning her worthiness of a job when she was the only one who stated her age and occupation, what have you got to contribute to this, this debate has nothing to do with ability to teach. You are more argumentative and condescending than anyone on this thread. I do not agree with the way she puts her views out sometimes but isn't that what this film as about? having your voice heard. This thread is surprisingly more or less a 50/50 view, which is remarkable seeing as a blog is really a fan club of the author.<br />I felt the need to back her up and not smack down a young voice, you should all be ashamedRichard Halesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-74447459663400803632011-02-22T20:20:01.495+00:002011-02-22T20:20:01.495+00:00Dealing with Sian takes five minutes. Considering ...Dealing with Sian takes five minutes. Considering serious issues like you have raised takes longer. I have to read, research and consider. I can't give instant answers to complex questions. I was working 18 hours yesterday and have a thousand emails to try to read today. Please have a little patience and understanding, especially as I'm not back to full health just yet.Traction Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14130413914192627361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-70806478242773445772011-02-22T20:11:49.357+00:002011-02-22T20:11:49.357+00:00Hi Traction Man
I wrote on here last night about ...Hi Traction Man<br /><br />I wrote on here last night about my views on the, in my opinion, unbalanced report of Leighton Hospital. I understand that you probably have so many posts it'll take you a long time to reply and I appreciate that. However, I really think it's a bit unfair that you're replying to ridiculous people who haven't contributed a decent argument, like this Sian person before replying to people with real concerns. <br /><br />Many thanks<br /><br />Disappointed PatientAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-54688634952085984342011-02-22T19:26:38.554+00:002011-02-22T19:26:38.554+00:00Everyone seems to have quite an extreme point of v...Everyone seems to have quite an extreme point of view! <br /><br />I don't think that anyone can deny that in hospitals up and down the country, there are many cases of patients being served really vile food, and not being given adequate care regarding feeding, especially in elderly patients. Multiple such personal experiences are documented in these comments. For those who are scathing, it is important not to underestimate the value and power of good food in aiding people's recovery. It goes without saying that nutrition is especially important for ill people, and hospitals, as institutions pursuing good health, it does seem absolutely outrageous that patients should leave hospital underweight and malnourished. The psychological impact of a revolting meal on top of a boring day in an unattractive environment whilst you are ill and probably in pain is obviously not going help your recovery.<br /><br />However, people do have to be realistic about the food - no, you are not in a hotel, restaurant or spa. I think hospital meals should be fairly bland (i mean, how many people fancy a curry when they're sick?!) but that doesn't mean that it needs to be grey, processed slop. In my mind, hospital meals should be akin to school meals - not gourmet, but pleasant enough and made with pretty fresh ingredients, cooked simply.<br /><br />We must also remember that there are many more thousands of people who leave hospital with no inclination to complain about the food or care they receive in hospital. That is not to degrade their appalling experiences, purely to bring back into the picture those that have excellent experiences - since when did praise for anything receive more attention in the media than criticism? Furthermore, if spending cuts to the NHS are being made, I think most people would at least be glad that the hospital food is suffering more than the actual medical treatment.<br /><br />Awareness of this issue clearly needs to be made, as it is shocking and it isn't right, but the way it was done in this documentary) will make a few enemies of Mark Sparrow. He appears whiney and ungrateful (even though the food does look unappetising) and I can see how the reaction of 'at least you have food!' is easily aroused in many people. I don't think that this documentary will change much, unfortunately, as it repetitive and Sparrow's style and attitude is really rather aggravating.<br /><br />Furthermore, documentaries such as these always end up with fingers of blame being pointed at people, but being such a clunky beaurocracy that the NHS is, it's hard to do this and still achieve results. Ironically, the 'blame culture' of our society is strongly linked to some of these problems; such is the fear of being sued that hospitals require doctors complete more paperwork than ever to have as records, so nurses are required to do more of the medical-ish procedures that doctors can no longer do since they don't have time. Nurses are also qualified to do this. Equally, they spend lots of time dutifully form-filling for the records, and so at then end of it, is it any wonder that basic patient care is suffering?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-29462633192347533132011-02-22T16:28:15.434+00:002011-02-22T16:28:15.434+00:00Sian
Why the reference to sexual frustration? Wh...Sian<br /><br />Why the reference to sexual frustration? What has this to do with patient food in hospitals? There is no relevance. Also comments like this "when you do die everyone will be nothing but relieved" are nothing more than childish and shows an immature mind who is unable to debate. Unfortunately you seem to be the only one bitch fighting with your derogatory and abusive comments - this shows your inability to converse with mature adults.<br /><br />The only way to start change is to make people aware of the situation which this programme did. <br /><br />I personally will be writing to the Chief Executive of my local hospital regarding the poor standard of patient food I received recently as an inpatient. Change can only come about one step at a time just like Rome wasnt built in a day.<br /><br />I suggest you go back to your art class and I am thankful you do not teach my children.Joolznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-91105841868540110592011-02-22T16:18:04.582+00:002011-02-22T16:18:04.582+00:00Sian
Sorry but have to laugh at your insignifican...Sian<br /><br />Sorry but have to laugh at your insignificant and childish rantings but what has sexual frustrated energy got to do with wanting to change the quality of food served to patients in hospital? I still dont see your reply to that just abusive text and ramblings; and you call yourself a teacher.<br /><br />People want change with regards to patient food in hospitals which currently is disgusting in both taste and visually. At least TM recorded what he was served and showed to the public exactly what is going on.<br /><br />I daresay Sian that you have raised no solutions on how to change this and change in this regard can only come about by patients, relatives and staff voicing their concerns. By remaining silent nothing will be done but by televising this program highlighting the issues, voices can be heard.<br /><br />Now unless you have nothing constructive to add besides derogatory and abusive comments I suggest you return to your art class and I am thankful you are not teaching my children.<br /><br />I want change in my local hospital so I personally will be writing to the Chief Executive with issues I feel need to be raised and investigated and changed with regards to patient food. One step at a time as Rome wasnt built in a day!Joolznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-35956747461613173642011-02-22T15:04:59.843+00:002011-02-22T15:04:59.843+00:00Watched the programme last night and it brought ba...Watched the programme last night and it brought back my 3 week stay at James Cook hosptial in Middlesbrough back in 2006. <br />I am the world's easiest person to feed, I will eat just about anything and think it tasted good! In fact I always found the food at my local hospital - Harrogate District - was pretty good but the food at James Cook was terrible. The menu was the same week in week out - this wouldn't normally bother me if I could have eaten it - the only meal I could stomach was the Saturday evening meal of chilli & rice. I went into hospital weighing just over 8 stone and came out weighing under 7 stone. <br />They sent a dietician to speak to me as they had concluded that I must be anorexic! I explained what I ate normally and the large portion sizes but they just didn't believe me - for example when we have takeaway pizza I have a whole 11" pizza, when we have pasta I have a dinner plate full etc etc. I just don't do small portions!!<br />But I just could not stomach the food they put in front of me (it was torture some nights when the nurses had pizza delivered, if I could of got out of bed I'd have asked them for a slice)!!<br />My family lived an hours drive from James Cook so they couldn't just pop in with food but whenever they came I had to get them to bring me stuff, even just a sandwich was heaven. It was the only way I could get any calories into my body.<br />The saddest thing about my stay was the lovely elderly lady next to me, they would bring her the tray of food and she tried her best but it was obviously difficult for her to manage the knife and fork to feed herself and there was no way she could get the lid off the yoghurt pot so if no other patient in our ward could help (a lot of us couldn't get out of bed easily so it was hard for us to help) or if none of us had visitors who could help her she didn't eat. Then the nurse who collected her tray would tell her that she should be eating but unfortunately nobody had the time to make sure she was. She tried to ask for help but some of the staff just got shirty with her for pressing her buzzer - she may have been elderly but she still knew when she was effectively being told off!<br />I was so glad to get out and get home so I could start getting better.<br />I was lucky, I had my family regularly visting but that lady didn't, I just hope I don't have to endure that sort of treatment in my later years.<br />Maybe the NHS needs to get together with HM Prison Service and check out the food on offer in prisons every day on limited budgets. They get quality, quantity and choice so it can be done!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-34117496547628710602011-02-22T14:32:28.354+00:002011-02-22T14:32:28.354+00:00Was great seeing your programme last night, I have...Was great seeing your programme last night, I have been a follower of your blog for a long time and support what you are doing.<br />I think there are many of us who have our own god awful food stories to tell but it is those who do not have a voice or a family who can bring alternatives in for them that is a concern.<br />Here's to they system realising that to aid recovery our bodies need good food not slop that I wouldn't serve to a poor animal.Tazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13575542198843990599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835152205968344114.post-69999004059508708162011-02-22T13:00:13.649+00:002011-02-22T13:00:13.649+00:00"I have been in hospital a few times recently..."I have been in hospital a few times recently, and have been very satisfied with the food provided, ( I am not a fussy eater!)<br />I cannot understand why the National Health does not charge for meals. We should have free health-care, not free food. I believe that in German hospitals patients have to pay for their meals. Even pensioners, if not in hospital would have to buy food when living at home so could afford a minimal daily charge of say £5.00.I think we take too much for granted in this country. "<br /><br />Are you seriously saying that people with long term illnesses who have to spend an extremely long time in hospital should have to pay for meals? I'd think worrying about fighting off an illness would be your main priority, not having to muster up £5 for a single, crappy meal. You clearly have more money than sense if you think the majority of people would actually be able to afford this.Liznoreply@blogger.com