This campaign is supported by 24 healthcare organisations representing more than one million members. The open letter has already gained over 1,000 signatures from a range of prominent figures including Chris Packham and Professor Tim Spector.
Plants First Healthcare highlights that normalising plant-based meals in hospitals could save the NHS £74 million annually, while providing healthy meals for patients and helping NHS Trusts to cut their food-related emissions by up to 50%. The scheme would make plant-based meals the default, while giving patients and staff the choice to opt into meat and dairy options.
New York City, in collaboration with Greener by Default, has successfully implemented a similar campaign and has served over 1.2 million plant-based meals since March 2022. This has led to a 36% reduction in carbon emission, a cost saving of 59 cents per meal and a more than 90% satisfaction rate.
Dr Shireen Kassam, Campaign co-lead and consultant haematologist at King’s College London, said: “We have a long way to go to transform both staff and patient meals in hospitals. When staff and patients are made aware of the health and climate benefits of plant-based meals, they are supportive of incorporating more lower carbon, health promoting foods.
“The aim is to advance this transformation with Plants First Healthcare. According to the 2023 Lancet Countdown report, 70,000 deaths in the UK in 2020 were associated with insufficient intake of nutritious plant-based foods (such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds).
“Showcasing the benefits of a plant-based diet within healthcare settings should be part of educational efforts to change dietary habits of the UK public. This would not only provide immediate cost savings to the NHS, but also give longer term healthcare benefits for patients, while drastically cutting carbon emissions.”
A survey of 2,000 respondents carried out by One Poll in May 2024 found:
- A third of Britons would back a switch to an entirely plant-based menu in NHS hospitals.
- While 79% have sympathy for the NHS in its current state, 55% believe something needs to change when it comes to the meals served.
- Almost two thirds (64%) of respondents said hospital meals being healthy was a top priority.
- Four in ten (41%) would support plant-based milks and yoghurts being served in hospitals.
- Almost one third (30%) said processed meats such as ham and bacon shouldn’t be served to patients.
- It also emerged that 32% of respondents would be interested in trying an entirely plant-based diet themselves, with 31% having decreased their meat intake in the last two years.