I wonder if the gender of your correspondents who disagree about the quality of hospital food is relevant (Letters, May 26). The original article the letters responded to was written by a woman, but the letters were from men – and a nurse once told me that men complain about food much more often than women. During my recent hospital stay I was happy with the food. Someone else cooked it, brought it to me and took the leftovers. Bliss. I wasn’t too concerned about how it tasted.
Rosemary Chamberlin
Bristol
I was recently at Furness General Hospital for treatment of a suspected heart attack. During my subsequent hospital stay, the food was exemplary. Freshly made, very tasty and definitely the highlight of the day. Given the pressures the NHS is under, it is a testament to the hardworking staff that they produced food of such excellent quality.
Alun Oddie
Ulverston, Cumbria
I recently spent some time at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Having been admitted with gastroenteritis I initially had little interest in the food, but once I started eating again I found it to be as good as you would reasonably expect from a large kitchen on a budget. Hospital catering must be a thankless job, but the staff I met were always cheerful and helpful.
Rodney Smith
Glasgow
I spent 39 days in St. Mark’s Hospital in London, where I underwent life-saving surgery. The food was usually very good – chosen by me from a glossy menu with a range of meals. The NHS surgery and post-operative nursing care, supplemented with decent food, saved me and improved my quality of life.
William Major
Liverpool