They may not be known as the tastiest treat, but patients at hospitals in west Kent are more than happy with the meals being dished up for them.
Statistics released by the Care Quality Commission show that out of every 10 patients at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, which runs Maidstone Hospital and the Tunbridge Wells Hospitals, at Pembury, half rated the food as “good”, while eight out of 10 were positive about the choice offered.
Overall, the food was judged to be good and choice was rated even higher at excellent.
The findings, gathered by the Campaign for Better Hospital Food, rated the trust 100th out of 156 trusts across the country.
Food at Medway Maritime Hospital was rated the second worst in the country, where four out of every 10 patients saying the meals were good. Only Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was deemed to be worse.
Alex Jackson, campaign co-ordinator, said more needed to be done to improve the food across the board.
“It is time for the government to come clean about the sorry state of hospital food in England.
“Surely patients recovering in hospital have the same right to good food as government ministers, school kids and prisoners?”
The campaign is supported by the Royal College of Physicians, British Heart Foundation and the Patients Association, in calling on the government to support the Health and Social Care (Amendment) (Food Standards) Bill which aims to improve all patient meals by requiring them to meet mandatory standards, including quality, nutritional and environmental standards.
The meals at this area’s hospitals are provided in-house, and cost £9.12 a day per patient to produce.