Andy Jones, said: "To the HCA, the standard of catering in our hospitals is one of the highest priorities. As such, it is key that our menus and beverage choice meet and are suitable for the staff and visitors we serve, as well as being flexible in both their offering and adaptability, because good nutritious food enables staff to work better.
"And it's key that our hospitals lead the way. So for patients the focus is on 'eating for good health' and for staff and visitors, on 'healthy eating', where staff and visitors are given healthy choices to ensure that those working in the Trust are well nourished to look after the patients. Their wellbeing also impacts the patient’s recovery, so ensuring that we offer a balance of healthy choices foremost is something that caterers must lead upon. And to assist in this aim we are also encouraging our Members to put the calorie content on the menus for staff and visitors, making it easier for them to choose a healthier diet."
He adds: "But we don't see it as 'our place' to say that 'fast food' concessions should be banned in hospitals. Rather, what we are saying is that when Trusts do let outlets, they ensure they write into the contract lease agreements that healthy food and drink options must be provided and have to be at the core.
"Additionally, the popular 'meal deals' should be made up of healthy options too. So we have no issue with snacks being offered in restaurants, cafes, vending machines and shops on site, but in terms of their positioning, we need to make healthier options easier to see and buy. And like Professor Terence Stephenson (the new Chair of the General Medical Council who takes up post from 1 January 2015) has often said, I too question why we need large packets of biscuits or large tins of sweets being sold in the NHS at all?"
As part of a wide-ranging drive to raise standards of hospital food across the UK, the NHS now has mandatory Food Standards Plans across the four nations and hospitals will be ranked on food quality for NHS patients and staff.