Shameful record on hospital nutrition must be improved

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 31st Aug 2006

Commenting on today's Age Concern report detailing the risk of malnutrition faced by elderly people in hospitals, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Sandra Gidley MP said:

"Where frontline nursing staff are overstretched, patient care can suffer. All too often I hear of elderly patients who have had food placed in front of them with no one to help them eat it.

"Why did the Government ended the Better Hospital Food programme this year, which ring-fenced extra money for hospitals to improve nutrition for patients?

"The Liberal Democrats have been aware of this problem for some time and will be discussing how to improve this shameful record at our party conference next month.

"There is increasing evidence to support the fact that good nutrition is essential to patients recovering quickly. Many frail and elderly patients already come into hospital in an under-nourished state.

"There are huge pressures on hospital staff and time spent feeding patients can be seen as lower priority. This must not be allowed to continue."