RCN comment on hospital nutrition report

Published: 28 February 2013

For immediate release: 22 February, 2013

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today commented on a report into the quality of hospital food by the pressure group Sustain, which called for compulsory nutritional standards.

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN said: “Getting the right level of nutrition is even more important for people who are recovering from illness. Hospital food has a significant impact on the speed of recovery, susceptibility to infection and mental and physical wellbeing.

“Feeding patients properly shouldn’t be an afterthought, and poor nutrition can hamper the hard work of health care staff to help patients recover. It is unacceptable that so many hospitals are still failing their patients in this vital area and clearly more action is needed.”
-Ends -

Notes for Editors

1. For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

2. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations