Families and loved ones have been sharing the worst dishes served up to NHS patients across the country as images of the very different meals served in private clinics have also emerged.
The shocking dishes included an orange that had gone partly black, an ‘unidentifiable’ pie and millionaire shortbread which was ‘hard as a brick’.
However, the nosh in private clinics tells a different story with pizza and chips, a fresh feta salad and even smoked salmon all being served.
In one horrifying NHS example, a woman was served an ‘omelette’ during a 24-hour stay which looks more like an alien lifeform than anything belonging on a plate.
She said: ‘I was in hospital for 24 hours and asked for an omelette for lunch. This is what I got! Disgusting.’
An ‘omelette’ that was served to a woman during a 24-hour stay in hospital
A handful of chips and dry looking chicken goujons served to an NHS patient
Fishfingers and a handful of chips which was served to an NHS patient
Five croquettes and some form of pie which appears to have been mushed up was given to a patient at Salford Hospital
Another woman was served two unappealing meals in hospital – fish fingers and chips followed by chicken goujons and chips.
The serving of chips seemed rather meagre and fried breaded meat looked dry in both instances.
And at Salford Hospital, one patient was served five croquettes and what appeared to be some form of mushed up pie.
Meanwhile, patients at private hospitals like The London Clinic, where Kate Middleton had her abdominal surgery, have compared the food to that of a 5-star hotel rather than a hospital.
Dimple Mistry previously said she ‘would happily go back to the hospital for that alone’ after a five-night stay following a surgery.
She said: ‘It was plentiful and fresh and arrived hot on a silver trolley for every meal – with plenty of choice too.
‘At each meal you can choose from soups, salads, small plates and main meals – with a selection of side dishes, light bites and desserts too.
‘Breakfast saw a choice of the usual cereal and toast, but unlike the NHS I could also have chosen from a range of pastries, hot breakfast items – which included omelettes and pancakes – and even avocado on toast.’
A meal consisting of smoked salmon, toast, grapes and tea which Dimple was served in The London Clinic
Patients at The London Clinic can choose from soups, salads, small plates and main meals at each mealtime. Pictured: Pizza and chips served with tea and a sorbet for dessert
A fresh feta salad with plenty of tomatoes and greens
It follows the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow coming under major fire from social media accounts for the dreadful food they have been serving.
One woman called Lara said the lunch given to her father was ‘an absolute disgrace’ during his stay on a ward on Sunday.
She posted an image showing a plate containing four potatoes and a slice of discoloured turkey.
There were no other vegetables and the meat sat in a puddle of watery gravy.
The state-of-the-art hospital cost £842million and was Scotland’s largest ever publicly funded NHS construction project. It was opened by the late Queen in 2015.
But an outraged social media user complained the flagship hospital is now serving food that may as well be ‘at the bottom of my compost bin’.
One patient told how they were served ‘congealed mac and cheese’ and ‘cold soggy chips’.
The photo they shared of their meal was deemed ‘potentially sensitive content’ by X, formerly known as Twitter, and its viewing was restricted.
Their post led someone to comment: ‘Need to serve that at Holyrood before anything will happen, our politicians are totally oblivious to what is actually happening on the ground, how can that help to make someone well?’
This measly meal was served to Lara’s poorly father during an overnight stay in Glasgow’s flagship hospital
A dried up chicken breast and few chips was another meal on offer for patients on the men
One outraged social media user complained the flagship hospital is serving food that may as well have come from ‘the bottom of my compost bin’
Another social media user described how a friend’s mother had had to cook all of her meals from scratch and then taking them up to the hospital
Pictures of meals ranged from discoloured gloopy puddles to meagre rations including half a boiled egg and some lettuce
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it is committed to serving fresh, healthy and appetising food to all patients
But the hospital admitted that the food served had fallen below standards
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: ‘Nutritious, high-quality food is crucial for patients’ recovery.
‘It is alarming to witness the decline in food standards across Scotland’s hospitals.
‘This is yet another example of SNP cuts having a detrimental impact on Scottish NHS patients. The new health secretary must act now to ensure that every single patient in our hospitals has access to the high-quality food that they deserve.’
Another social media user described how a friend’s mother had a similar experience while a patient at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
They said: ‘The food was so bad that they ended up cooking all of her meals from scratch and then taking them up to the hospital.’
A hospital in Cambridgeshire offered a plate of broccoli and cauliflower in a cheese sauce for dinner on another occasion
Another patient was served a rotten jacket potato while undergoing treatment for appendicitis at a hospital in North Yorkshire in December 2020
Lara shared photos on social media of lunch served to her father while he was recovering in hospital
The state-of-the-art hospital cost £842million and was Scotland’s largest ever publicly funded NHS construction project
A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which manages Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, apologised for the standard of the food served.
They said: ‘NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is committed to serving fresh, healthy and appetising food to all our patients, and all meals served at our hospitals are prepared in-house to meet strict nutritional standards.
‘However, on this occasion, the food served has fallen below the standards we set ourselves, and which patients should be able to expect, and we apologise to the patient involved and their family.
‘We would encourage anyone who would like to discuss their meals to get in touch with our catering team who can quickly resolve any issues.’
It is not the first time the Scottish Government has faced criticism over the standard of hospital meals.
Following previous concerns raised in 2020, a spokesman said: ‘The importance of meal presentation and nutrition is emphasised in our guidance on hospital food to ensure all patients get the best possible nourishment.’
Have YOU been served revolting hospital food? Email [email protected]