§ 36. Mr. Longdenasked the Minister of Health what was the result of his Department's recent study of the cost of food in acute hospitals; and when he expects to receive the result of a similar study covering psychiatric hospitals.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe conclusions of the study of the cost of food in acute hospitals were conveyed to hospital authorities in letters of 14th November, 1963 and 31st December, 1964, of which I am sending copies to the hon. Member. The result of a similar study covering hospitals for mental illness will be available later this year.
§ Mr. LongdenIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that patients in psychiatric hospitals are receiving enough to eat?
§ Mr. RobinsonI have no reason to believe the contrary, although I expect that the results of this study will show some disparity in the cost of food between acute and psychiatric hospitals because of the greater number of elderly patients in the latter whose requirements of food will be less. In addition the protein content of their meals will not necessarily be the same. There is likely to be a difference.
§ Lord BalnielDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that the discrepancy between the cost of food in acute hospitals and in psychiatric hospitals is very wide? Although there are certain reasons, such as special diets which the right hon. Gentleman just mentioned, is he aware that there are many people who feel that this is perhaps not quite an adequate answer and, when he receives the report of the study, will he give it urgent attention?
§ Mr. RobinsonYes; the disparity is wide, but as to whether it is too wide or not, we must await the results of the study.