I wonder if the gender of your correspondents disagreeing about the quality of hospital food is relevant (Letters, 26 May). The original article that the letters were responding to was written by a woman, but the letters were by men – and a nurse once told me that men were much more likely to complain about the food than women. During my recent stays in hospital I was happy with the food. Someone else cooked it, brought it to me and took away the leftovers. Bliss. I wasn’t too fussed about what it tasted like.
Rosemary Chamberlin
Bristol
• I was recently in Furness general hospital for treatment of a suspected heart attack. During my subsequent stay at the hospital, the food was exemplary. Freshly made, very tasty and very much the high point of the day. Considering the strain the NHS is under, it is a testament to the hardworking staff that they produced food of such excellent quality.
Alun Oddie
Ulverston, Cumbria
• I recently spent some time in the Queen Elizabeth university hospital in Glasgow. As I had been admitted with gastroenteritis, I had little interest in food at first, but once I had begun eating again, I found it to be as good as one could reasonably expect for mass catering on a limited budget. Hospital catering must be a thankless task, but the staff I met were consistently cheerful and helpful.
Rodney Smith
Glasgow
• I spent 39 days in St Mark’s hospital in London, having undergone lifesaving surgery. The food was mostly very good – chosen by me from a glossy menu with a range of meals. The NHS surgery and post-op nursing care, supplemented by decent food, saved me and improved my quality of life.
William Major
Liverpool
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