NHS patients in London had twice as much spent on their hospital meals compared with those in the North, it is claimed today.
An average of £5.17 was spent on meals provided in the capital, while patients in the North had to make do with just £2.45, according to the Lib Dems.
Researchers analysed Freedom of Information data for the total food costs of NHS Trust sites across London and the North, and the number of inpatient meals provided between 2014 and 2019.
The party’s “spokesman for the North”, former MP John Leech, said it provided more evidence of a “chilling North/South divide”.
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He said: "No one wants to be in hospital for longer than they have to be, but when we are we must be able to rely on good, healthy meals with a variety of choices for those with dietary requirements.
"But as usual, Northerners are being shafted. When we get ill, we are losing out on the quality and range of food considered standard in the capital.”
He added: "Hardworking catering staff in our hospitals work around the clock to provide healthy, nutritional meals but their hands are tied by diminishing and restrictive budgets.”
A Department of Health spokesman said: “We want NHS staff and patients to have access to healthy, nutritious meals.
“Following an independent review of hospital food, the NHS has appointed an expert panel made up of clinicians, caterers and dieticians to drive up quality and consistency of food and drink across all healthcare sites to tackle health disparities.
“As part of this we are working with 16 exemplar Trusts on a number of innovations and pilots to test and roll out best practice to level up hospital food across the country.”
