HC Deb 09 June 2003 vol 406 cc687-8W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional resources his Department has given to(a) strategic health authorities, (b) primary care trusts and (c) NHS trusts to implement phase II of the Better Hospital Food Programme. [116861]

Mr. Lammy

An additional £6 million has been allocated for improvements to food services in 2003–04, and details on allocation of resources are currently under consideration.

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what targets his Department has set under phase II of the Better Hospital Food Programme for the(a) quality and (b) availability of drinks at ward level; and how improvements will be monitored; [116862]

(2) what targets his Department has set under phase II of the Better Hospital Food Programme for food and drinks services (a) for children and young adults and (b) in accident and emergency departments; and how improvements will be monitored. [116863]

Mr. Lammy

No new targets have been set under phase II of the Better Hospital Food programme.

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how his Department will assess the way the NHS buys its food to ensure that NHS trusts are getting the right kind of quality for the very best price, as set out in phase II of the Better Hospital Food Programme. [116864]

Mr. Lammy

NHS Estates, in conjunction with the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, will examine key aspects of commercial food procurement and logistics systems to assess what lessons can be learned and transferred to the national health service with the aim of reducing costs and improving quality wherever possible.

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