Food suppliers to the public sector will benefit from new government incentives for hospitals to improve their food.
For the first time food standards are part of the Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) payment framework for hospitals.
The Prince of Wales today hosted a reception to celebrate the new set of care incentives, which recommends the Soil Association’s Food for Life Catering Mark as one tool hospitals can use to boost their food offering.
The Catering Mark works in conjunction with the Catering Mark Suppliers Scheme, a matchmaking facility for suppliers and caterers in the public sector.
Marketing officer for Soil Association Emma Rose said the government recommendation of the Catering Mark is “really fantastic”.
She said: “We are seeing increasing opportunity to supply into the public sector because the demand is now there. It is embedded into government policy.”
Soil Association head of policy and member of the DH Hospital Food Standards Panel Joanna Lewis said the new incentives around hospital food is a real turning point.
She said: “Achieving the CQUIN by meeting food standards, like the Food for Life Catering Mark, is an opportunity for commissioners and NHS Trusts to take steps to make lasting improvements to the food they offer to patients.”
President of the NHS Clinical Commissioners Dr Michael Dixon said: “The introduction of a national quality incentive for hospitals to provide good food, sends a message that proper nutrition in hospitals cannot be separated from the provision of good biomedical care.”
The reception took place at Clarence House and was co-hosted by the Soil Association and Department of Health.
As patron of the Soil Association Prince Charles spoke about the importance of quality hospital food and his commitment to supporting these changes.
Health minister Dan Poulter said: “This new incentive is a positive step forward in making hospital food better. It is also good to see the excellent work hospitals are already doing to improve food for their patients highlighted at events like today.”
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