THE introduction of new legally-binding rules which will require hospitals in England to provide better food have been welcomed by Keighley and Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins who said it was vital to ensure patients were properly fed.

The new standards will mean that hospitals must provide patients with fish twice a week, seasonal produce, tap water, less salt in dishes and more fruit for dessert. Half of tea and coffee should also be Fair Trade.

Hospitals will be ranked according to quality and choice of food with the results published on the NHS Choices website.

Mr Hopkins said: “Our NHS is something to be valued and protected. Because we have taken difficult decisions elsewhere, we have been able to protect the NHS budget and, as part of that, we want to improve hospital food.

“Patients and their families must have confidence in their local hospital, and the quality of food being served is a crucial element of this.

“Under the new rules, hospitals will screen patients for malnutrition and provide a food plan to suit their clinical – as well as cultural – needs.

“Hospital canteens will also be required to promote healthy food that meets the Government recommendations for the amount of salt, saturated fat and sugar they contain.

“This is all good news for everyone in the NHS – for patients, for visitors and for staff.”