Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that vegans and vegetarians are provided with appropriate food in the (a) NHS, (b) social care and (c) other health services.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
For the National Health Service, social care and other health services, the Care Quality Commission regulates providers on compliance with Regulation 14 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This states that health and social care providers must consider people’s preferences, religious and cultural backgrounds when providing food and drink, and that people must have their nutritional needs assessed as quickly as possible and food be provided to meet the needs identified.
NHS England published updated NHS Food Standards in November 2022. The standards set out that menus should be tailored to meet patient’s dietary requirements and personal preferences. To that end, all hospital sites are expected to prepare and provide menus that meet all necessary types of dietary, religious and cultural needs. Vegetarian and vegan meals and snacks have long been part of this choice, and particularly with the focus on providing lower carbon choices, plant based meals are being provided as an extensive range.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of (a) legal and (b) other protections for the right of vegans and vegetarians to manifest their beliefs in care settings.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Ethical veganism has previously been found to be a philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010 by an employment tribunal, in an employment context. While this is not binding in other cases, all employers and service providers, including those who administer care homes and hospitals, should have regard to the differing dietary needs of people who they provide meals to, whether these are determined by health considerations, religious or philosophical belief. Providers should also recognise that food is not the only aspect of how ethical vegans conduct their lives and where possible should ensure that these other aspects are catered for.
Care providers should be aware that service users such as care home residents and ward patients may bring claims under the Act, where they consider they have been treated less favourably because of their belief in ethical veganism. In addition, public sector providers are subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty which requires them, in carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to achieve the objectives set out under s149 of the Equality Act 2010 to:
(a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010; (b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it and (c) foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. Specific duties, set out in regulations, ensure transparency, and assist in the performance of this duty.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulate care homes as well as other health and care providers. One of the fundamental standards is on nutritional and hydration needs. Please see the link below.
Jul. 04 2023
Source Page: SACN report: feeding young children aged 1 to 5 yearsFound: screening Iguacel Azorin I, Miguel -Berges ML, Gomez -Bruton A, Moreno LA, Julian Almarcegui C (2017) Veganism
Mentions:
1: Kate Green (LAB - Stretford and Urmston) veg, and milk and vitamins to pregnant and new mums and their children is at only about 60% across the - Speech Link
2: Jo Gideon (CON - Stoke-on-Trent Central) producing and exporting vast amounts of barley, corn, rye and wheat. - Speech Link
3: Matthew Offord (CON - Hendon) vegetarianism and veganism is more important than ever. - Speech Link
4: Geraint Davies (LAB - Swansea West) We need a healthy and productive economy that is more equal and fairer, and a stronger, greener future - Speech Link
5: Daniel Zeichner (LAB - Cambridge) With Labour, Britain will buy, make and sell more here, and ensure that our schools and hospitals are - Speech Link
Sep. 26 2022
Source Page: Faith and pastoral care for prisoners: PSI 05/2016Found: Faith and pastoral care for prisoners: PSI 05/2016
Sep. 26 2022
Source Page: Faith and pastoral care for prisoners: PSI 05/2016Found: Faith and pastoral care for prisoners: PSI 05/2016
Jul. 20 2022
Source Page: Feeding young children aged 1 to 5 years: draft SACN reportFound: These foods include whole grain breads and cereals, vegetables and fruit, and meat a lternatives
Jun. 29 2022
Source Page: My Health, My Care, My Home - healthcare framework for adults living in care homesFound: , and their friends and families.
Written Evidence Mar. 09 2022
Inquiry: The impact of body image on mental and physical healthFound: IBI0039 - The impact of body image on mental and physical health University of Essex Written Evidence
Found: and textiles.