§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on charging patients for their meals(a) in National Health Service hospitals and (b) in publicly funded nursing homes. [81145]
§ Mr. DenhamNational Health Service patients are not charged for their meals whilst in hospital. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 16 July 1998 that there would be no new NHS patient charges in the lifetime of this Parliament, and this included payment for meals.
Individuals placed by local authorities in residential care homes or nursing homes are expected to contribute to the costs of their care package, subject to a means test. This care package includes accommodation and meals.