Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average daily cost is of providing meals for each in-patient in NHS hospitals.
The Department collects data from National Health Service trusts for the average total daily cost for the provision of all meals and beverages served to one in-patient per day. The latest information relates to the 2013-14 period, when this cost was reported as £10.87.
The cost is inclusive of all pay and non-pay costs, including provisions, ward issues, disposables, equipment and its maintenance.
The information has been supplied by the NHS and has not been amended centrally. The accuracy and completeness of the information is the responsibility of the provider organisation.