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| Food on child cancer wards 'poor' | Food on child cancer wards 'poor' |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| Three quarters of parents are critical of the meals served to their children in cancer wards, a survey suggests. | Three quarters of parents are critical of the meals served to their children in cancer wards, a survey suggests. |
| And 90 of the 92 parents and carers questioned said they had taken extra food into their child's hospital. | And 90 of the 92 parents and carers questioned said they had taken extra food into their child's hospital. |
| The charity CLIC Sargent, which carried out the poll, wants a "food champion" on every child cancer ward. | The charity CLIC Sargent, which carried out the poll, wants a "food champion" on every child cancer ward. |
| The Hospital Caterers Association said mealtimes were harder for distressed or sick children - but kitchens should be able to cater for their needs. | The Hospital Caterers Association said mealtimes were harder for distressed or sick children - but kitchens should be able to cater for their needs. |
| 'Toxic' | 'Toxic' |
| The powerful anti-cancer treatments given in hospital can have an effect on the appetite of patients, both child and adult. | The powerful anti-cancer treatments given in hospital can have an effect on the appetite of patients, both child and adult. |
| Some 77% of those questioned by the charity described hospital food as "unappealing", "unsuitable for sick children" or "poorly prepared". | Some 77% of those questioned by the charity described hospital food as "unappealing", "unsuitable for sick children" or "poorly prepared". |
| Nine out of 10 CLIC Sargent staff based in hospitals had received complaints from parents about the food on offer, and 41% rated the food available at their hospital as either "poor" or "very poor". | Nine out of 10 CLIC Sargent staff based in hospitals had received complaints from parents about the food on offer, and 41% rated the food available at their hospital as either "poor" or "very poor". |
| I can see the difference in children on the wards who have been able to maintain their intake of good food Professor Mike StevensBristol University | I can see the difference in children on the wards who have been able to maintain their intake of good food Professor Mike StevensBristol University |
| A group of children interviewed by the charity also criticised the menus at their hospitals, with some describing them as "toxic", "disgusting", or complaining that the food was still frozen. | A group of children interviewed by the charity also criticised the menus at their hospitals, with some describing them as "toxic", "disgusting", or complaining that the food was still frozen. |
| All but 2% of the parents and carers interviewed said they had taken food into hospital to supplement the meals provided there. | All but 2% of the parents and carers interviewed said they had taken food into hospital to supplement the meals provided there. |
| CLIC Sargent chief executive Carole Easton said: "No parent should be compelled to bring in their own food. | CLIC Sargent chief executive Carole Easton said: "No parent should be compelled to bring in their own food. |
| "Urgent action is needed to ensure that the NHS is meeting the specific food needs of children and young people with cancer." | "Urgent action is needed to ensure that the NHS is meeting the specific food needs of children and young people with cancer." |
| Dr Easton called on hospital trusts to appoint one existing member of staff on child cancer wards - perhaps the housekeeper - as a "champion" whose job would include getting to know the likes and dislikes of children, and encouraging them to eat the food they need. | Dr Easton called on hospital trusts to appoint one existing member of staff on child cancer wards - perhaps the housekeeper - as a "champion" whose job would include getting to know the likes and dislikes of children, and encouraging them to eat the food they need. |
| Mike Stevens, a professor of paediatric oncology at the University of Bristol, said that a good diet during treatment was vital for children with cancer. | Mike Stevens, a professor of paediatric oncology at the University of Bristol, said that a good diet during treatment was vital for children with cancer. |
| "It helps them to feel better during treatment and is a significant factor in keeping their immunity up against infections. | "It helps them to feel better during treatment and is a significant factor in keeping their immunity up against infections. |
| "I can see the difference in children on the wards who have been able to maintain their intake of good food." | "I can see the difference in children on the wards who have been able to maintain their intake of good food." |
| 'Good communication' | 'Good communication' |
| The Department of Health and the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence have both introduced guidelines aimed at raising the quality of food offered to young cancer patients. | The Department of Health and the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence have both introduced guidelines aimed at raising the quality of food offered to young cancer patients. |
| However, the charity said many hospital trusts were not following the guidelines. | However, the charity said many hospital trusts were not following the guidelines. |
| Hospital Caterers Association chairman Neil Watson-Jones said that it was often difficult to cater for child patients, who might be upset during their hospital stay or put off their food by powerful treatments. | Hospital Caterers Association chairman Neil Watson-Jones said that it was often difficult to cater for child patients, who might be upset during their hospital stay or put off their food by powerful treatments. |
| "The important thing, I have to say, is to get children to eat something, even if it's not the healthiest thing on the menu. | "The important thing, I have to say, is to get children to eat something, even if it's not the healthiest thing on the menu. |
| "The idea of a food champion is a sensible one - this is all about good communication between the ward and the catering department, and in some places, perhaps that isn't happening as well as it could be. | "The idea of a food champion is a sensible one - this is all about good communication between the ward and the catering department, and in some places, perhaps that isn't happening as well as it could be. |
| "Generally, if someone makes a request for something served in a slightly different way, the kitchens will be able to accommodate them, and there is normally an area in every ward where these little changes could be made." | "Generally, if someone makes a request for something served in a slightly different way, the kitchens will be able to accommodate them, and there is normally an area in every ward where these little changes could be made." |
| A Department of Health Spokesperson said the latest independent Healthcare Commission in-patient survey showed the vast majority of patients were satisfied with the food they receive. | |
| "Good food is important for all patients and the Department of Health has recognised this as a priority issue. | |
| ?We expect every Trust to take their responsibilities on hospital food seriously and to make sure that hospitals meet the standards that patients rightly expect." |