Bake Off's Prue Leith to advise Government on hospital food following listeria deaths

Health chiefs are to set national standards for hospital food after the deaths of six
people in a listeria outbreak.

Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith will advise the Government review into bedside meals, amid growing criticism of patients’ food.

The “root-and-branch” probe, launched by the Department of Health today, will examine whether the number of hospitals doing catering in-house can be increased.

Prue said: “Millions of pounds are wasted in hospitals with food ending up in the bin – unpalatable food being the main complaint.

A hospital meal should be a pleasure and comfort, and it should help, not hinder, the patient’s recovery.”

The “root-and-branch” probe, launched by the Department of Health, will examine whether the number of hospitals doing catering in-house can be increased (PA)

Health Secretary Matt Hancock called for the review in June when the six people died after getting listeria from prepackaged sandwiches and salads (Chris J Ratcliffe)

Health Secretary Matt Hancock called for the review in June when the six people died after getting listeria from prepackaged sandwiches and salads.

But Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth said: “Years of Tory austerity mean some hospitals are spending just £3 a day on meals for patients – it’s an utter disgrace.”